Summit County Citizens Voice

Red flag fire danger persists in south-central Colorado, where two major wildfires have started in the last couple of days.

Grass and brush fires spreading quickly in xtremely dry conditions

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Smoke filtering into Summit County skies is coming from two fires burning across about 11,000 acres of private grasslands, brush and piñon-jumiper woodlands on the Colorado-New Mexico border in Las Animas County.

There are ranches, outbuildings and historic structures near the fire. No evacuations are in place at this time but the residents are on alert and will be notified if evacuations are needed.

The Bear Fire was lightning caused, according to Steve Segin, spokesman for the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center. It’s burning about 20 miles northeast of Raton, New Mexico.

“It’s extremely dry, and there wont be any relief until we start getting some monsoons, or the humidity goes up,” Segin said.

Smoke from the Bear Fire in Las Animas County, via Inciweb. Click to see all the available photos from the Bear Fire.

The Bear Fire has burned almost 7,000 acres and is 15 percent contained.

The Purgatoire Fire has also burned about 6,100 acres. It’s located about 25 miles east-southeast of Hoehne, Colorado and is about 10 percent contained.

Fire officials have assigned about 400 personnel to the fires, along with  15 engines, 9 Type 1 hotshot crews, 8 type 2 hand crews and 5 bulldozers. Bulldozers and crews will be working to construct and improve fire line. Engines are providing structure protection as well as patrolling and reinforcing fire line. There are also four helicopters working on the fire. Click here for more details.

Slightly cooler temperatures with possible showers are expected but active burning conditions are still expected with gusty winds due to afternoon thunderstorm development. Click here for a video fire weather forecast.

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Environment, forest fires Tagged: | Bear Fire, Colorado news, Colorado wildfires, Purgatoire Fire, Raton New Mexico Fire, Summit County News, Wildfires