A wildfire broke out Wednesday evening along the Arkansas River near Fowler, propelled by strong winds and fueled by dry conditions.
Fowler Fire Chief Pat Christensen said the fire had expanded to 130 acres Wednesday night and was “still growing” in an area where Pueblo, Otero and Crowley counties meet.
Three structures that had been in danger from the flames were no longer in danger, he said. U.S. 50, between Fowler and Highway 209, remained closed due to the fire.
Christensen said 70 firefighters from nine local agencies were battling the blaze, which he said was likely started by a lingering ember from a controlled agricultural burn conducted on Tuesday.
The chief said the controlled burn occurred a day before a red flag warning had been issued for a large portion of southeast Colorado Wednesday morning.
He said it was one of a number of controlled burns that had been conducted Tuesday.
John Aguilar: 303-954-1695, jaguilar@denverpost.com or
