DENVER — A wildfire burning near the community of Beulah in Pueblo County prompted authorities to issue an evacuation notice to several homes in the area as investigators announced they identified a person of interest in the human-caused fire.
A notice to evacuate was issued to an area starting from the Red Mountain Youth Camp, west to the county line, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. The order was later lifted and residents were allowed to return home.
There were 20 homes in the evacuation zone. An evacuation center was set up at Roncoli Middle School in Pueblo.
UPDATE: NorthCreek Fire
— PuebloCounty Sheriff (@PuebloCountySO) April 15, 2023
2:28 p.m.
The public is asked to please avoid the area of the 3600 block of North Creek Road in Beulah so responders can get to the area of the #northcreek fire. pic.twitter.com/YKaDNp6Ln3
The 50-acre North Creek Fire was first reported around noon Saturday and is burning on U.S Forest Service land near the Pueblo-Custer counties line. Fire officials said the fire was at 10% containment Saturday evening.
Air resources, including a fire suppression helicopter and two single-engine air tankers, were ordered to the area, the sheriff's office said. More than 90 personnel from several agencies are currently working to contain the blaze.
People with livestock animals, except horses, can bring them to the Colorado State Fairgrounds. Pets can be dropped off at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region Pueblo.
The sheriff's office said Saturday evening that a preliminary investigation indicates that the North Creek Fire was human-caused.
A person of interest has been identified by Pueblo County Sheriff's deputies. However, the sheriff’s office declined to release the person's name at this time.
This is a developing story
