CUSTER COUNTY, Colo. — UPDATE | Denver7 is tracking the latest on all of the state's major wildfires in our story here.
...
The Town of Beulah, in addition to anyone in the area of Lazy Acres and Bishop Castle on Highway 165, southwest of Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, have been ordered to evacuate due to a wildfire.
What's being called the Aspen Acres Fire has burned 2,400 acres, as of 6:04 a.m. Monday, according to the Beulah Fire Protection and Ambulance District. Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster declaration in response to the Aspen Acres Fire Monday morning and authorized the mobilization of the Colorado National Guard to support fire response efforts.
There are strong, shifting winds in the area, the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office said. The weather conditions are extreme and two fires are growing rapidly, according to the Custer County Sheriff's Office. A smaller fire has developed near Isabel Lake. The Custer County Sheriff's Office said the larger fire has exceeded the capacity of firefighting crews in Custer, rye and Pueblo. Emergency Assistance has been requested from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.
Custer County evacuated all homes east of Highway 165 from Bishops Castle south to the Pueblo County line. Homes on the west side of the highway need to be set to go at any minute, according to the Custer County Sheriff's Office.
Highway 165 is closed from the Pueblo County line to Highway 96 Mackenzie Junction, the Custer County Sheriff's Office said by 12:30 p.m. Monday. Highway 96 is not impacted.
No structures are threatened Monday morning and there have not been any injuries or loss of life reported. An evacuation shelter has been set up at the Pueblo County Recreation Center at 1650 Cooper Place. Household pets are being accepted, but an evacuation site for large animals is open at 4 Bar S, 6675 Hwy. 78 W.
Anyone who needs assistance evacuating is asked to call 911 immediately.
Aircraft were en route to assist with fire suppression Monday morning, but the Custer County Sheriff's Office warned they may have to cancel due to wind.
Denver7 is committed to making a difference in our community by standing up for what's right, listening, lending a helping hand and following through on promises. See that work in action, in the videos above.
