Firefighters gain containment on a brush fire near Rye that prompted evacuations on Monday
PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) - Crews were battling a grass fire near Rye on Monday.
According to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, the fire was burning in the area of Old San Isabel Road, north of Rye. As of 5:45 p.m., one outbuilding had been destroyed and no injuries were reported.
The fire was first reported at about 11 a.m. and as of 5:45 p.m. it had burned about 127 acres and was about 85 percent contained. Crews are expected to monitor the fire throughout Monday night into Tuesday morning.
The fire also prompted the evacuation of Rye High School and an elementary school. At about 12:35 p.m. the sheriff’s office announced evacuations orders for the Mount Baldy subdivision. The Red Cross set up a “reception” center for evacuees at the Colorado City Recreation Center, 5000 Cuerno Verde in Colorado City that was later closed. The evacuations were later lifted, but residents were put on a pre-evacuation notice.
More than 40 firefighters from the following agencies assisted with fighting the fire: Rye Fire, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Bureau, Beulah Fire, Pueblo City Fire, Pueblo West Fire, Pueblo Rural Fire, West Park Fire and Pueblo County Road and Bridges.
“This was great teamwork by all involved and who quickly responded which helped to prevent further spread of this fire, particularly with the weather conditions we had today,” said Pueblo County Sheriff David J. Lucero.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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