How Southern Colorado is Preparing for Wildfires
“We do have the potential in Southern Colorado to have as big a fire as the Waldo Canyon, with the exception of the number of homes.”
Communities such as Beulah and Rye could face dangerous, difficult-to-contain fires given suitable weather factors, Pueblo County emergency officials say.
With windy, dry conditions and harsh terrain fueling the now 14,000-acre Hayden Pass Fire 20 miles southeast of Salida — which is 0 percent contained — communities surrounded by dense foliage are taking measures to prevent a wildfire.
“Right now, as a precaution, both Rye and Beulah have shut down burning in their districts so we don’t have any flames allowed in any open areas with the exception of San Isabel National Forest,” said Mark Mears, Bureau Chief for the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services Bureau.
“No debris burning is allowed in Rye or Beulah.”
Fire restrictions are also in place in Park, Fremont, Custer, Las Animas, Huerfano and Costilla County.
Mears added that Pueblo County has sufficient resources to fight wildfires in more mountainous terrains like Beulah and Rye, despite the majority of the county being a high-desert terrain.
The Hayden Pass fire has placed emergency preparedness in Pueblo County on alert. But Mears is confident that Pueblo County can hold its own, should the fire spread east, closer to Pueblo County. The fire would have to spread significantly to cross into Pueblo County.
“The Hayden fire is headed towards Duckett, where there was a fire two years ago. It’s a natural event and we’ve built into the forest,” Mears said.
“We do have the potential in Southern Colorado to have as big a fire as the Waldo Canyon, with the exception of the number of homes.”
The Hayden Pass blaze is reminiscent of the Mason Gulch Fire that swept across Beulah in 2005 — which forced 5,000 people to evacuate their homes. That fire blazed 12,666 acres over the course of four days.
Mears reiterated how important it is for citizens stay informed in the case of a fire for the safety of residents and law enforcement.
“We will always try to give a good warning. You don’t always know what the conditions are so cases are different,” he said. “If you know there’s a fire in your area, keep track on the local news and when law enforcement comes around and tell you, it’s time to go, it’s time to go.”
