Wetmore Fire Update: Oct. 24

Wetmore, Colo., Oct 24, 2012 (5:00 AM) – The Wetmore Fire, burning in grass, Ponderosa Pine and Oak Brush, has burned approximately 1000 acres one mile west of Wetmore. One hundred thirty firefighters from 16+ agencies are working as a team to fight the fire.

Crews experienced extreme fire behavior Tuesday due to high winds; aerial resources were not able to fly. Aviation resources are ordered but may not be able to fly because the same gusty winds are predicted to continue today.

There are an estimated 386 residents evacuated according to Custer county Sheriff Fred Jobe. The evacuations in place are for Greenwood, Wetmore, and east of Wetmore into Pueblo County. Reverse 911 was being utilized, however due to fire damage of utility lines; a multi-agency, house-to-house notification was implemented. Evacuated parties are being referred to Baptist Church at 303 E. 3rd Street in Florence, and the First Church of the Nazarene (719-564-3209), 84 Stanford in Pueblo.

Additional elective evacuations were performed along Siloam Rd in western Pueblo County last night as the strong winds pushed the fire eastward.
The public is being asked to stay out of the area.

Colorado 96 is closed westbound from The Pueblo Reservoir south entrance to Wetmore, and Eastbound from Colorado 165 to Wetmore. Colorado 67 is closed southbound from County Road 15 to Wetmore.

Local resources have been working around the clock maintain the road closures and structure protection for incoming Fire Crews… Lives and Structures is our priority.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered and will be arriving tonight and will take over management of the fires.

Large Animals are being referred to Pathfinder Park in Canon City , Cross Roads Event Center in Penrose Co. or the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo. Contact Eskridge Veterinary at 719-240-6880 for help with domestic animals.

Participating agencies include: Custer, Fremont, Pueblo, and Chaffee Counties; Colo. State Patrol, Colo. State Forest Service, Colo. Div. of Fire Prevention and Control, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management; Pueblo, Pueblo West, Canon City, Florence, Penrose, Wetmore and Tallahassee Fire Departments.

Information provided by, Ralph Bellah,
PSICC Fire Prevention Officer.