UPDATE: Bent County fire now 90% contained

UPDATE: Monday, March 4, 2024, 12:20 p.m.

(LAS ANIMAS, Colo.) — As of 10:08 a.m. on Monday, March 4, Las Animas/Bent County Fire Protection District updated via Facebook that the fire is now 90% contained. A few crews are still working on some areas of the fire.

UPDATE: Bent County fire now 80% contained

UPDATE: SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 3:35 p.m.

At 2:25 p.m. the Las Animas/Bent County Fire Protection District (LABCFPD) posted to its Facebook page that the fire remains at 1,030 acres and is now 80% contained.

Fire Crews are working to keep the fire contained, suppressing hotspots and reinforcing fire breaks on all sides except to the North, where the fire is held off by the Arkansas River.

UPDATE: SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 10:53 a.m.

The Las Animas fire is now burning 1,030 acres. Fire crews are working to set up fire lines, according to the Las Animas/Bent County Fire Protection District (LABCFPD). Highways are open, and County Road 13-15 is on pre-evacuation.

No evacuations have been ordered but LABCFPD is asking people in the area to be prepared to leave.

UPDATE: SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 4:10 p.m.

At 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, Las Animas/Bent County Fire Protection District (LABCFPD) reported on their Facebook page that the fire had grown to 831 acres with 0% containment. It was at 246 acres just over 2 hours ago.

Fire crews are at work to fight this wildfire. Please avoid the area and use caution. We will continue to post updates as they come in.

ORIGINAL STORY: Large wildfire in Bent County, CO can be seen on radar

SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1:48 p.m.

A large wildfire is burning in Las Animas, in Bent County, Colorado. According to the Las Animas/Bent County Fire Protection District (LABCFPD) at 1:11 p.m. Saturday, March 2, the fire was still rapidly progressing.

The fire has burned over 246 acres with 0% containment. Smoke from the fire is visible on weather radar, according to Fox21’s Meteorologist, Ryan Matoush .

Evacuations have been ordered for all residents East of Las Animas and Fort Lyon, as well as for anyone living on the south side of Hwy 50 from BFI to Fort Lyon. Local fire protection agencies have been dispatched and are on the scene.

We will continue to provide updates as they become available.

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