Multiple Fires in Douglas County, Homes Burning
UPDATE 12:24 p.m.
Another wildfire is burning just southwest of Alamosa, the National Weather Service reported. Southwest winds are gusting over 60 mph at the San Luis Valley Airport.
Wildland firefighters from the Pike and San Isabel National Forests are assisting with the Rampart 67 Fire.
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UPDATE 12:06 p.m.
Colorado 67 is closed between Elephant Rock Road and Pine Creek Road as fire crews battle the Rampart 67 Fire. Pre-evacuation zone is located west of Pine Creek Road and east of Rainbow Creek Drive.
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UPDATE 11:50 a.m.
The fire in The Meadows on North Foxtail Drive is contained. Two homes were damaged, according to the Town of Castle Rock, though no injuries were reported.
The cause is under investigation.
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UPDATE 11:37 a.m.
West Douglas Fire Department has issued pre-evacuation notices for residents in the 0 to 3000 block of North Colorado 67 for the Rampart 67 Fire.
Colorado 67 southwest of Sedalia is still closed.
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UPDATE 11:05 a.m.
Fire crews are mopping up the fire near Tomah Road. The pre-evacuation order has been lifted.
The Larkspur Fire Department estimates that the fire burned about 3/4 of an acre.
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Three fires are burning in Douglas County as high winds whip through the Front Range of Colorado on Tuesday.
Residents in the area of Keene Ranch are under pre-evacuation notice for a fire burning near Larkspur. Tomah Road is shut down west of the fire, while Colorado 67 at Rampart Range Road is closed due to another fire that started about 10:30 a.m.
Three homes are fully engulfed in flames on North Foxtail Drive in Castle Rock. No injuries have been reported, though damage to the houses is severe.
Multiple units from South Metro are assisting Castle Rock with 3 homes burning on N. Foxtail Drive. Immediate surrounding homes evacuated, no injuries reported. Firefighters contending with high winds. Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/AIP3zSb0i3 — SouthMetroFireRescue (@SouthMetroPIO) April 17, 2018
The Douglas County Fairgrounds is open to shelter large animals.
Douglas County, among others across the Front Range and southern Colorado, are under a red flag warning due to high winds.
The National Weather Service recorded a 39 mph wind and 53 mph gust on Monument Pass just after 10 a.m.
Small grass fires are also burning in Otero County.
For updates, visit our friends at the Gazette.