Evacuation order lifted for Applewood Estates following fire

PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - UPDATE 7:30 A.M.: The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office says the evacuation order at the Applewood Estates has officially been lifted. The evacuation center has been closed. Fire crews will remain in the area to monitor hotspots.

The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office says the Applewood Fire burned down multiple homes and other structures.

The sheriff's office says the fire, which started at 6:20 p.m., began as a wildfire that winds swept into the Applewood Mobile Home Park, engulfing multiple homes.

No injuries or deaths are being reported. The cause and size of the fire are still unknown.

I-25 is back open to traffic, but the sheriff's office is asking people to avoid the area so first responders can continue to work.

UPDATE 7:45 P.M.: The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office reports that multiple agencies are fighting a wildfire near Mile Marker 73-74 on I-25.

Everyone living in the Applewood Mobile Home Park in Colorado City is being evacuated. The sheriff's Office says a shelter has been set up at 1650 Cooper Place in Pueblo.

I-25 appears to have reopened, but CO165 has closed in both directions.

This image from a KRDO13 viewer shows flames and smoke on a patch of grass between the road and some homes.

Evacuation shelters for people and animals have been set up.

The sheriff's office says the CART team has a shelter for large animals and livestock at the Colorado State Fairgrounds. Enter at Gate 6 on Small Ave. The Human Society of the Pikes Peak Region is operating a shelter for small pets at 1650 Cooper Place.

For anyone in need of transportation for their animals, the sheriff's office says call Beth at (719) 251-0245.

ORIGINAL REPORT: The Colorado Department of Transportation says I-25 is shut down in both directions near Colorado City, which is south of Pueblo, due to fire activity.

Up-to-date road closure information can be found on COTrip.

KRDO13 is working to learn more about the fire and the interstate shutdown.