Homes Burn As Metro Area Fire Crews Help Battle Wildfire
BEULAH, Colo. (CBS4)- The wildfire burning near Beulah in southern Colorado has destroyed seven homes as the fire continues to grow. Crews from the Denver metro area helped battle the growing fire.
The Beulah Hill Fire broke out Monday near the town of Beulah. Strong winds that gusted up to 50 mph helped fuel the blaze in terrain that ranged from grassy to steep canyons. The fire grew to more than seven square miles, or nearly 5,000 acres, on Tuesday.
Photo Gallery: Beulah Hill Fire
Everyone living in the town and the surrounding area 25 miles southwest of Pueblo, about 1,950 residents, were ordered to evacuate after the fire continued to spread in several directions.
Evacuees described a scary scene as they left home.
"My husband saw the smoke and heard explosions just a little after one and then he heard the fire engines and I was working and then the power went off about 3:30," said evacuee Denise Fischer.
South Metro Fire Rescue has sent two engines and a strike team leader to the fire.
Winds were not quite as strong on Tuesday which helped helicopter crews drop water on the fire.
There is no timetable on when residents can return to their homes because of the fire's unpredictability. No one has been injured.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Wildfire Resources
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Wildfire Photo Galleries
- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.