Fire Crews Work on Hot Spots Following Grass Fire on Highway 50

Today, (Monday) firefighters are working to cool hot spots along Highway 50 East of La Junta after a grass fire late Sunday.

"Fire did not grow overnight. Approximately 80-100 acres burned. Crews are working on hand work cutting trees and working hot spots." La Junta Fire Chief Brad Davidson reported Monday morning.

Around 6pm Sunday night a CODE RED alert went out to residents living along Highway 50 and Highway 194 to be ready to evacuate and to stay off the roads and highways where the fire was reported. The message was a pre-evacuation notice and also told recipients of it to wait for further information. The message went out as a text and phone call, twice to those living close by.

At the time of the fire, winds were gusting over 25 miles per hour and were from the South, pushing the fire on H50 North-Northeast in the direction of H194 and not far away from Bent's Old Fort Historical site. Monday, the social media pages of Bent's Old Fort reported the park grounds would be closed as they look at the damage done to the trails, necessary for safety of visitors on the trails.

The National Weather Service out of Pueblo is forecasting another windy day in Southeast Colorado with multiple counties under a red flag fire warning. High winds, dry conditions with relative humidity under ten percent are expected to continue through Monday, at least. It's advised to use extreme caution with outdoor activities today, monitor conditions and always be ready in case of an evacuation.

Multiple agencies responded to Sunday night's fire. La Junta Fire Chief Brad Davidson has gone on record to thank neighboring agencies many times for the mutual aid they provide when needed.

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