Ordway Fire 95% Contained, Evacuation Lifted
CROWLEY COUNTY – Everyone evacuated due to the Ordway fire has been allowed to return to their homes and the fire is fully contained.
It is expected that any hot spots at the fire, which grew to about 8,900 acres, will be taken care of by weather.
Two firefighters were killed in the fire when a bridge they were crossing in their fire truck collapsed. The men have been identified as Olney firefighters 30-year-old Sergeant Terry DaVore and 38-year-old Officer John Schwartz.
All of Ordways 1,248were under a mandatory evacuation until Wednesday afternoon. The2-1-1 phone servicewas activated to help residents getemergency information.
35 separate agencies joined together to fight the fire.The Crowley County Jailwas evacuated by the Department of Corrections and the prisoners weretaken to Bent County.
Sixteen building outside Ordwaywere damaged, as well as eight buildings inside the town.
Multiplelive power lines were downed, threatening roads in the town of Ordway and knocking out power to many residents. However, authoritieswere able to restore power tothe area early Wednesday afternoon.Highway 96 andHighway 71 had to be closed due to the fire.Both havebeen reopened, however Highway 96 right in the Ordway area is closed.
Thisfire wasthe second to break out Tuesdayafter the Fort Carson fire sparked around 1:00 p.m. Tuesday.
Governor Ritter addressed Ordway residents and authorities Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and took a ground tour to see the damage first-hand.
Ordway, Colorado in Crowley County is 46 miles East of Pueblo, Colorado and 76 miles southeastof Colorado Springs.
