UPDATE: At a 6 a.m. news conference Wednesday, officials said the Wetmore fire grew overnight to more than 1,700 acres. 200 of those acres are in Pueblo County.
The fire remains 0% contained. All evacuations remain in place Wednesday.
High winds will continue to be a challenge for firefighters battling the blaze. At last report, there were twelve structures that have burned.
Crews experienced extreme fire behavior Tuesday due to high winds; aerial resources were not able to fly. Aviation resources are ordered but may not be able to fly because the same gusty winds are predicted to continue today.
There are an estimated 386 residents evacuated according to Custer county Sheriff Fred Jobe. The evacuations in place are for Greenwood, Wetmore, and east of Wetmore into Pueblo County
Reverse 911 was being utilized, however due to fire damage of utility lines, a multi-agency,
house-to-house notification was implemented. Evacuated parties are being referred to Baptist Church at 303 E. 3rd Street in Florence, and the First Church of the Nazarene (719-564-3209), 84 Stanford in Pueblo.
Colorado 96 is closed westbound from The Pueblo Reservoir south entrance to Wetmore, and Eastbound from Colorado 165 to Wetmore. Colorado 67 is closed southbound from County Road 15 to Wetmore.
Large Animals are being referred to Pathfinder Park in Canon City , Cross Roads Event Center in Penrose Co. or the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo. Contact Eskridge Veterinary at 719-240-6880 for help with domestic animals.
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(Original Story)
A media briefing was held Tuesday night at 8:45 on the fire burning in Wetmore.
There are more than 100 firefighters working the fire. They are in engines, on hand crews and overhead suppression.
The number of structures burned hasn't been confirmed, but hundreds have been evacuated in the town of Wetmore and Pueblo County sheriff's officials were evacuating 308 homes in their jurisdiction.
More than 1,000 acres have burned and the fire is still zero percent contained.
The National Weather Service in Pueblo reported gusts up to 79 mph outside Wetmore just before 1 p.m. The high winds have grounded crews that were sent to fight the fire from the air.
Pueblo County teams offering aide in this fire include: Pueblo City Fire, Pueblo County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Bureau Fire, Rye Fire, Rural Fire, Buelah Fire, West Park Fire, Pueblo Chemical Depot fire, Transportation Technology Center Fire, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Pueblo West Fire.
Fire suppression efforts are expected to continue overnight. In Pueblo County, the primary focus will be on protecting the 25 homes that are closet to the fire line.
Since State and federal fire resources have been requested, Sheriff Kirk Taylor has agreed to delegate authority of this event to a Type II Incident Management Team.
The team will arrive Wednesday night in Florence and receive critical situation updates prior to assuming command.
Sheriff Taylor has requested a member of his Command Staff remain an active part of this decision making team to minimize costs to Pueblo County.
The American Red Cross Reception Center at Church of the Nazarene, 84 Stanford Ave, remains open for those displaced by the fire. They have assisted several people offering food, shelter, and referral to community resources.
Household pets are now being accepted at the Pueblo Animal Shelter at 4600 Eagleridge Circle in Pueblo. Livestock and large animals are still being accepted at the Colorado State Fairgrounds.
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