Wildfire in Bent County now over 800 acres, Fort Lyon residents allowed to return home

BENT COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- UPDATE: A fire burning near Las Animas has grown to 831 acres and is 0% percent contained. At 8 p.m. KRDO13 learned the fire has not grown in size for several hours but is still 0% contained.

According to Bent County officials, over 200 people have been evacuated from Fort Lyon, an area to the east of where the fire is burning. Late Saturday evening, residents at Fort Lyon were allowed to return to their homes.

The Colorado Department of Corrections issued the following statement on the status of the Bent County Correctional Facility:

The Colorado Department of Corrections is actively evaluating the situation to determine if evacuation measures will be necessary.

As of now, no evacuation order has been issued, but we are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds. The Bent County Facility (BCCF) is a level III facility with an operational capacity of 1,388. We are prepared to take appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved, including inmates and staff.

We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available. Your understanding and cooperation during this time are greatly appreciated.

-- Alondra Gonzalez-Garcia, DOC Public Information Officer

Previous Article: The Las Animas/Bent County Fire Protection District has issued evacuation orders for Fort Lyon and areas east of Las Animas as they battle a wildfire in Bent County.

UPDATE: At 1:11 p.m., fire officials said the fire is still rapidly progressing and they expanded the evacuation orders: "All residents that live on the south side Hwy 50 from BFI to Fort Lyon are under evacuation also."

Colorado State Patrol has closed the following roads:

• Hwy 50 and Hwy 194 eastbound
• Hwy 50 and Hwy 287 westbound

At 11:59 a.m., the Fire Protection District said the fire had burned 246 acres and was 0% contained.

At 1:30 p.m., the acreage of the fire has grown to 470 acres and remains 0% contained.

Highway 101 is closed to traffic, and fire officials are urging people to stay away from the area while fire crews respond.

According to Bent County officials, multiple agencies are on scene fighting the fire.

KRDO13 will update this article with more information.