A wildfire in rural Costilla County flared up spectacularly Monday and refused to “lay down” after dark, still exhibiting “extreme fire behavior” late in the night.
The Mato Vega fire blew up to 4,450 acres by 9:30 p.m. and was threatening five isolated structures on La Veta Pass north of U.S. 160, which has been closed, said Steve Segin, spokesman for the Rocky Mountain Incident Managment Team.
The blaze was burning in Costilla County but was moving north to northeast into Huerfano County toward Paradise Acres subdivision, about 4 miles away, Segin said.
Paradise Acres and the area around the pass were evacuated, and voluntary evacuations were being suggested for about 200 homes in Forbes Ranch subdivision and 35 more in Wagon Creek subdivision.
The fire also was threatening some historic mining and ranching structures, Segin said.
“The fire has taken on a life of its own. It’s still putting up a large column. Usually by 9:30 p.m., you do see a fire lay down for the night, but we’re not seeing that here,” he said.
Fanned by gusty winds, the wildfire blasted through heavy timber and scrub, one of numerous blazes crackling in the bone-dry region under what firefighters call “red-flag” conditions.
“We’re getting some growth, probably getting some good fire behavior in there. The fire is really moving,” Segin said.
Burning in narrow gulches southeast of the high peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Range, the fire started Sunday and is believed to have been caused by lightning.
Small crews that had been rushed to the remote fire lines were quickly overwhelmed, as the flames leapt along the crowns of trees and overran a firebreak cut by a bulldozer. Substantial reinforcements were ordered for today.
Segin said 150 firefighters were on the line Monday, but more were arriving overnight, and as many as 350 could be there eventually. Helicopters, single-engine air tankers and a heavy air tanker were used Monday.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has pledged funds to help protect buildings threatened by the fire, including seven with historic value.
Meanwhile, crews were dispatched to the 10-acre Copper Creek fire near the Williams Fork reservoir in Grand County and another blaze of unknown size that started Monday south of Rifle in Garfield County.
The Copper Creek fire was contained by about 7:30 p.m.
High temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds statewide have combined to fan the slightest spark into a more serious blaze. And with little prospect of substantial rain soon, the risk of major wildfires remains high, said Larry Helmerick of the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center.
“We have red-flag warnings today, and we’re all holding our breath,” he said.
The organization, which dispatches firefighters throughout the region, has been stationing 20-person crews and aircraft around the state in likely spots where fires could pose trouble.
“We’re putting resources all over the state right now to try to make sure we catch them,” Helmerick said. “We would send a mix of whatever the fire is asking for, to try to knock them down fast.”
Staff writer Steve Lipsher can be reached at 970-513-9495 or at slipsher@denverpost.com.
