Editor's Note: The Spring Fire started June 27 and has continued to grow. This story covers developments and updates that occurred June 29. You can find the latest on the fire here. Our original post continues below.
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The Spring Fire in southern Colorado has ballooned to 23,889 acres — just over 37 square miles — and has entered into Huerfano County. The blaze has closed US 160 between Fort Garland and Walsenburg, between mileposts 258 to 294, with no estimated time of reopening.
Some structures have been lost to the fire, but fire managers aren't sure how many. Andy and Robyn Kuehler shared video from their internet security cameras with 9News. The footage shows flames quickly sweeping and consuming their cabin as well as a shed and a parked Jeep.
The fire itself is burning east of Fort Garland, about 160 miles south of Denver. Firefighters hadn't established any containment lines as of Thursday.
Residents of about 350 homes were ordered to evacuate. Others have been told to prepare to leave, but officials were uncertain of the number. The evacuated homes are in Forbes Park, a housing development started by multimillionaire Malcolm Forbes in the 1970s.
Roads manager Wade Colvin says residences range from large homes to cabins. He says about 300 people there when the fire was reported Wednesday.
Pre-evacuation orders were sent Thursday night for the area North and East of Trinchera Ranch Road, and south of Highway 160 in the Fort Garland area. A map of the evacuation area can be downloaded here. Evacuation information in Huerfano County can be found here.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Thursday the U.S. government would help pay the state's cost for fighting the fire.
FRIDAY UPDATE: The #SpringFire is impacting @USPS mail, including
checks, meds. Mail for 280 Forbes Park homes is being held at the Ft. Garland
Post Office. Also, 80 Deliveries out of the La Veta Post Office into the Middle
Creek and Paradise Acres impacted. Photo @CSP_Alamosa pic.twitter.com/dGOOy7ohAS
Firefighters are also fighting several new fires that started Thursday in very hot and bone-dry weather.
One near Rocky Mountain National Park forced the evacuation of about 300 homes in Grand County but firefighters got a good jump on stopping its advance.
Two other new fires, one near Fraser and to the south in the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, are burning in remote areas and aren't threatening any homes.
Earlier: Costilla County Wildfire Prompts Evacuations, Blackens 5+ Square Miles
