UPDATE: WEDNESDAY 4/19/2023 2:02 p.m.

(BENT COUNTY, Colo.) — Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) says the John Martin fire has burned 1,700 acres as of Wednesday afternoon on April 19.

Fire crews continue to do mop-up work and manage hot spots.

John Martin fire contained, air support to manage flare-ups

UPDATE: WEDNESDAY 4/19/2023 10:15 a.m.

CPW says the John Martin fire burned 1,400 acres as of Wednesday morning on April 19.

  • Courtesy of Colorado Parks & Wildlife
  • Courtesy of Colorado Parks & Wildlife

According to CPW, a few rare black rail habitats were burned along with thick tamarisk and grass.

Three air tankers and a helicopter have helped limit damage, said CPW. Air support will continue to fight flare-ups near the Arkansas River bottoms.

  • Courtesy of Colorado Parks & Wildlife
  • Courtesy of Colorado Parks & Wildlife; Creek south

Shifted winds have pushed the fire back south, but fire crews have stopped the fire at JJ Road, “saving everything north,” said CPW.

UPDATE: TUESDAY 4/18/2023 8:30 p.m.

According to the Bent County Sheriff’s Office, the fire near John Martin Reservoir State Wildlife Area is “contained to the river bottom” and is not an active threat to any structures.

Night operations will run through the night, and full firefighting will resume at daylight, the Sheriff’s Office said.

John Martin fire 30% contained, 1,400 acres burned

UPDATE: TUESDAY 4/18/2023 5:45 p.m.

Highway 50 near the John Martin Reservoir fire is back open, according to the Bent County Sheriff’s Office, and crews have gained 30% containment as of 5 p.m.

The Bent County Sheriff’s Office said three air tankers, Cañon City heli-tac, and local responders are still fighting the fire, which has burned approximately 1,400 acres of brush and grasslands.

The Sheriff’s Office asked that cars do not stop on the shoulders to observe the fire, for your safety and the safety of first responders.

John Martin Reservoir fire 10% contained

UPDATE: TUESDAY 4/18/2023 4:54 p.m.

The fire burning near the John Martin Reservoir State Wildlife Area is 10% contained, according to the Bent County Sheriff’s Office. State firefighting assets are on scene, and the Sheriff’s Office shared video of aerial firefighting crews dropping water on the fire.

ORIGINAL STORY: Avoid the John Martin Reservoir State Wildlife Area due to wildfire

TUESDAY 4/18/2023 3:53 p.m.

The public has been asked to avoid the area of the John Martin Reservoir State Wildlife Area (SWA) due to a wildfire.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Southeast Region (CPW SE Region) tweeted the warning on Tuesday, April 18 at around 3:30 p.m. and asked the public to avoid the area so emergency personnel can respond.

John Martin Reservoir SWA is located in Bent County, between Las Animas and Lamar.

John Martin SWA, Courtesy: CPW SE Region
John Martin SWA, Courtesy: CPW SE Region

CPW said at 3:35 p.m. that a helicopter had joined firefighting operations.

“Last April a wildfire erupted in brush along the Arkansas River bottom and burned the west end of the 19,471-acre SWA,” stated CPW SE Region.

  • Fire burning near John Martin Reservoir State Wildlife Area
    Courtesy: Bent County Sheriff’s Office
  • Fire burning near John Martin Reservoir State Wildlife Area
    Courtesy: Bent County Sheriff’s Office

According to the Bent County Sheriff’s Office facebook page, due to the wildfire, Highway 50 between Las Animas and Lamar will be closed due to smoke.

FOX21 News will update this article with more information as it becomes available.