Latest news with #OakFire
CBS News
15 hours ago
- CBS News
2 arrested, accused in connection with Oak Fire in southwestern Colorado
Two suspects have been arrested for their connection to the Oak Fire that started in Aspen Springs in southwestern Colorado earlier this month. Sergio Alaniz Jr., 41 and Ross Heirigs, 60, were arrested on arson charges, according to the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office. Investigators said the Oak Fire was started by an illegal burn at 152 Oak Drive in Aspen Springs on the afternoon of Aug. 10. Aspen Springs is located about 10 miles west of Pagosa Springs. That burn was, according to law enforcement, in violation of an ordinance for the regulation of open burning in unincorporated Archuleta County. The sheriff's office said the fire quickly spread through the subdivision and into another subdivision before firefighters were able to contain it. The Oak Fire burned approximately 75 acres. Some buildings were destroyed and other property was damaged.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Evacuations in Oak Fire near Pagosa Springs lifting Wednesday as containment grows
DENVER (KDVR) — A fire burning near the town of Pagosa Springs is nearly 50% contained, and Archuleta County officials say evacuations due to the fire will be lifting Wednesday. The Oak Fire has burned 75 acres in Archuleta County since igniting on Sunday west of Pagosa Springs in southwest Colorado. The fire was 47% contained as of Tuesday night when the sheriff's office announced the upcoming evacuation lifting. Colorado Wildfire Map A mandatory evacuation order was issued for one mile in all directions of 38 Spruce Circle west of Pagosa Springs and was expanded up to Elk Park subdivision, including Elk Park. The sheriff's office in a Facebook post said the evacuation will be lifted at noon Wednesday. 'All fire personnel will still be actively engaged to work on the remaining uncontained 53% of the fire,' the sheriff's office said. 'PLEASE drive carefully.' An alert will be sent to residents when the area officially reopens, and residents reentering the area will need to show proof of address to be let back onto their properties. Pre-evacuation zones were already lifted Monday evening as containment of the fire started. In an update on the fire, the sheriff's office said crews made progress throughout Tuesday, though there are a significant number of hot spots, root systems burning underground and sections of fire edge that are smoldering that need to be addressed. More than 100 people are working on the fire, and the sheriff's office estimated the fire to have costed $2 million. Officials had said the fire damaged one barn, one pump house, one pergola, one carport and one camper trailer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Mint
11-08-2025
- Climate
- Mint
Colorado wildfire: 1,000+ firefighters fight massive blaze near Denver — Thousands forced to flee, prison evacuated
Colorado is grappling with one of its largest wildfires on record as more than 1,000 firefighters work to contain the Lee Fire, which is raging about 250 miles (400km) west of Denver. The blaze, sparked by lightning on 2 August, has scorched over 130,000 acres (52,610 hectares) and is only 7% contained, according to the state's Division of Fire Prevention and Control. Evacuation orders have been issued for mountain communities in Garfield and Rio Blanco counties. Officials continue to urge residents in nearby areas to stay prepared to evacuate quickly if necessary. Governor Jared Polis has declared a disaster emergency to help bolster firefighting resources. On Saturday, all 179 inmates at the Rifle Correctional Center were relocated about 150 miles (240km) away to the Buena Vista Correctional Complex as a precaution. The Colorado Department of Corrections confirmed the prisoners were relocated about 150 miles (240 km) to the Buena Vista Correctional Complex. No injuries or structural damage have been reported so far. The Lee Fire is one of several burning in the region. The Elk Fire, east of the Lee blaze, has consumed over 14,000 acres and is 30% contained. In southern Colorado, Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency for the Oak Fire near Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County to bolster response efforts. Officials warn that gusty winds and low humidity could further fuel the flames in coming days. Forecasters warn that gusty winds and low humidity in the coming days could make containment efforts even more difficult. No injuries or structural losses have been reported so far.
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Polis declares emergency after wildfire balloons in 6 hours
Update: Follow here for the latest updates on Colorado wildfires. DENVER (KDVR) — Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a Disaster Emergency for a wildfire that has ballooned after starting only six hours ago. The fire began on Sunday afternoon, the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office reported that a structure fire started at 38 Spruce Circle in Pagosa Springs was forcing evacuations within a one-mile radius of the area. Colorado wildfires: Lee Fire grows to more than 100K acres amid 'near-critical' weather Pagosa High School was set up as an evacuation center. An update was provided around 4:30 p.m. that the fire started on Oak Drive and mandatory evacuations were ordered for areas up to the Elk Park Subdivision, which included Elk Park. Pre-evacuations were issued to North Pagosa Boulevard, north to Northlake Avenue, Park Avenue and Lake Shore Avenue. The Governor's Office said that the fire escalated rapidly and exceeded the capacity of local emergency response crews. The sheriff requested that the Division of Fire Prevention and Control approve the incident as a State Responsibility fire. With the disaster declaration, the State Emergency Operations and Resource Mobilization Plans are activated and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management are coordinating with the State Emergency Operations Center to support fire crews. The 'out of control' wildfire, deemed the Oak Fire, is burning west of Pagosa Springs and north of Highway 160. Polis has authorized the use of the National Guard to suppress the fire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
