Wildfire in northeast Pueblo forces 25 evacuations; over 80 acres burned, fire 80% contained

Justin Reutter, Pueblo Chieftain
Updated ·2 min read

A wildfire in northeast Pueblo has forced evacuations for homes a half-mile north of 1945 Overton Road.

The fire began around 10:30 a.m. Friday. It had burned over 82 acres and was 80% contained as of 6 p.m., according to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.

Pueblo Fire Department spokesperson Tim Trujillo said earlier in the day that the estimated acreage was over 100 acres, but a more accurate estimate was later released by the PCSO. No injuries or burned structures have been reported.

A reception area for those asked to evacuate has been set up at the Pueblo County Parks Office, located at 1650 Cooper Place. The reception area opened Friday afternoon and its entrance is off Roselawn Road.

Just after 1:50 p.m., the PCSO announced that residents of approximately 25 homes in the affected area were asked to evacuate. Just after 2:05 p.m., the PCSO said there was no threat to the Colorado State University Pueblo campus and that no campus evacuations had been ordered.

A helicopter aids in firefighting operations for the Vision Hills Fire, which had burned over 100 acres and prompted 25 evacuations as of Friday afternoon.
A helicopter aids in firefighting operations for the Vision Hills Fire, which had burned over 100 acres and prompted 25 evacuations as of Friday afternoon.

The fire, which the PCSO is referring to as the Vision Hills Fire, is burning brush east of Fountain Creek and west of Jerry Murphy Road where it turns into Overton Road.

Multiple fire crews are fighting the fire and air resources are assisting firefighting operations. "Please do not put drones up in the area," the PCSO said in a tweet.

Residents who have been asked to evacuate due to the Vision Hills Fire can take large animals to the Liberty Landing Stables, 1401 S. McCulloch Blvd., in Pueblo West. A secondary location will be at 4 Bar S, 6675 Colo. Hwy 78, according to the PCSO. Small pets can be taken to the Pueblo County Parks Office reception area.

Road closures in effect due to the Vision Hills Fire include north and southbound Jerry Murphy Road/Overton Road from Bluestem to Pinon Road, and east and westbound Vision Hills Parkway from Jerry Murphy Road to Castor Drive.

Agencies working the Vision Hills Fire include the Pueblo Fire Department, Pueblo County Emergency Services Division Fire, Pueblo Rural Fire, Beulah Fire, Rye Fire, West Park, Hanover Fire, Pueblo Chemical Depot, Pueblo County Roads and Bridges and Division of Fire Protection & Control and AMR.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. Check back at Chieftain.com for updates.

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Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formally known as Twitter, @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain atsubscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Fire burning in northeast Pueblo forces evacuations; 80 acres burned