Pueblo Fire Department responds to wildland fire near mall

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Pueblo Fire Department confirms that they are responding to a wildland fire near the Pueblo Mall on East 29th Street and Dillon Drive, according to officials.

As of 5 p.m., the fire is 65% contained, 8 acres, and officials say there is no threat to structures.

However, that didn't stop neighbors living adjacent to the fire from feeling concerned by the flames and smoke.

"I came out to see what was going on, you know, because the smoke. So I came out here to walk that way and seen the big flames and stuff going up. And then I waited and seen the helicopters going over," says Edward Tafoia, a neighbor.

First responders confirm multiple agencies responded, and the fire is along the Fountain Creek river bottom.

"The dry weather, the conditions, this breeze that we have and the wind that we have today, we decided to activate the Pueblo County strike team, which brought in partners from across Pueblo County to get in here, get an initial attack, and get this fire knocked down," says Tim Trujillo, Pueblo Fire Department.

The Pueblo Fire Department says crews will remain on scene throughout the evening and overnight.

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