October 29th 2024.
On the evening of October 28, 2024, fire crews were dispatched to the Highland Lakes fire, which was raging in Teller County. The situation was dire, as approximately 700 homes were under mandatory evacuation orders due to a wildfire that had ignited in Divide earlier that day. The Teller County Sheriff's Office was on high alert and working tirelessly to contain the inferno.
As per a news release from the sheriff's office, the Highland Lakes fire had already consumed nearly 90 acres and there was no sign of it being contained. This was a cause for concern, as the fire had already destroyed one home and officials were worried that more may be lost. Sheriff Jason Mikesell addressed the public at a briefing that night, assuring them that no injuries had been reported so far. However, he also revealed that the fire was started by a person, but due to an ongoing investigation, further details could not be disclosed at the time.
The mandatory evacuation zones included areas such as Cedar Mountain, Golden Bell, Wayward Wind, Snowhill, and many more. The fire had spread rapidly, engulfing vegetation and trees in its path, but fortunately, with the drop in temperatures at night, the fire's intensity had decreased. Sheriff Mikesell expressed gratitude that the blaze had calmed down, giving firefighters a chance to gain some control over it.
In light of the situation, Teller County officials declared a disaster emergency late that night and were in communication with Governor Jared Polis to seek assistance from the state. However, the strong winds made it impossible for aircraft to fly, hindering the firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, a shelter was set up at Woodland Park Community Church for those who had been displaced by the fire.
This is a developing story and we will provide updates as they become available.
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