Grass fires continue to break out across southern Colorado

Amid a high fire danger day due to high wind gusts across southern Colorado, many large grass fires were reported in the state, prompting evacuations.

It started early with multiple fires in Douglas County, and later a large grass fire broke out near Interstate 25 and began spreading to Hanover.

In addition to helping battle the Hanover fire, Pueblo firefighters were also called to a grass fire south of the Pueblo Airport, near Highway 50 in Baxter.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office said evacuations were ordered for residents near Barnett Road and that the road was closed at Highway 96 and Baxter Road. The evacuations were extended to the area of 32nd Lane to Massey Road west to Baxter Road.

Another fire was reported near Avondale, and Avondale High School was evacuated, according to a KRDO viewer.

The National Weather Service also picked up a massive grass fire near Walsh, by the Kansas border and another one near Alamosa.

Large fire in Baca County as seen from NOAA GOES-16 Satellite. Southwest winds in the vicinity of the fire continue to to gust over 50 mph. #cowx pic.twitter.com/uaoZ1c2geq

— NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo) April 17, 2018