Wetmore Fire recovery center opens

The 300 people directly affected by the Wetmore wildfire began receiving assistance Friday at a disaster recovery center.

The center is set up at the Wetmore Fire Department. The building previously was used as a command post for the firefighting effort. The Red Cross joins some local and state agencies in providing services for people who lost property or have other needs relating to the fire.

Food, health resources, counseling services and restoring burned land are some of the needs that the center addresses. Around 20 people are on duty. The center’s hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The center has been helpful to Shawn Donohoo, whose home was destroyed by the fire.

“I’m extremely grateful,” he said. “I would have never imagined that we’d get so much help. Someone I don’t even know, has offered to buy the boys brand-new bikes. My boys had new bikes that the fire destroyed.”

Custer County Sheriff Fred Jobe said one of his deputies lost his home as well.

“He’s back at work already,” said Jobe. “He felt like he needed to get back to work and get his mind off of his loss. I think at some point, many of these homeowners will need to talk with someone.”

Jobe says many Wetmore residents need fire debris removed from their properties. He said he’s talking with landfills in Custer, Fremont and Pueblo counties about the matter.

Jobe also emphasizes the need for food safety. Because the fire knocked out power to some homes, he said some food must be thrown away.

Jobe said three homes in the fire zone didn’t burn, but are still in a danger area and those homeowners remain evacuated. People who lost homes, he said, will receive passes authorizing them to be in the zone, and certain roadblocks will continue.