Roughly 700 homes evacuated after wildfire sparks in Teller County
The Highland Lakes fire was burning on nearly 90 acres as of 7 p.m. Monday with no containment, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Approximately 700 homes are under mandatory evacuation orders after a wildfire sparked in Divide on Monday, according to the Teller County Sheriff’s Office.
The Highland Lakes fire was burning on nearly 90 acres as of 7 p.m. Monday with no containment, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
One home has been destroyed and county officials are “dealing with the possibility we might lose more,” Sheriff Jason Mikesell said at a briefing Monday night. No injuries have been reported.
Sheriff’s officials know the fire was started by a person but declined to release further information because of the ongoing investigation, Mikesell said.
Mandatory evacuation zones include Cedar Mountain north to Golden Bell, Wayward Wind, Snowhill, Aspen Village, Broken Wheel, Alpine View, Beaver Lake Circle, Beaver Lake Place and Star View Trail.
The fire moved quickly from grasses to trees, but fire activity died down as temperatures cooled for the night, Mikesell said.
Teller County officials declared a disaster emergency late Monday night and are in contact with Gov. Jared Polis about dispatching state resources. High winds prevented aircraft from flying on Monday night.
A shelter for people displaced by the fire is set up at Woodland Park Community Church, 800 Valley View Drive in Woodland Park.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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