Evacuees of Beulah Hill Fire return home

Some families forced from their homes because of the Beulah Hill Fire returned home on Wednesday after the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office deemed their properties safe from the flames.

In total, 75 families were allowed to go back. Nearly 2,000 people have been evacuated since the fire blew up on Monday.

Hamp Howey stood on top of his barn Wednesday and surveyed how close the flames crept to both his barn and home.

“The Beulah Fire Department did an excellent job in coming in and bringing two units to abate any encroachment on the barn,” said Howey.

Howey and his wife made a sign thanking the firefighters and volunteers and displayed it on the side of their big barn along Highway 78.

“Just showing the guys that we do appreciate it,” said Howey.

An outbuilding on his neighbor’s property was demolished in the flames. The grass around his barn is charred from the flames but his barn was untouched. He is building a new home on his property and while he lost some lumber, the structure is still standing.

“It’s a wonderful relief to see it happen,” said Howey.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is optimistic that firefighters will continue to gain ground on the fire. As they make more strides in the fire fight, more people will be allowed back home.