Bear Fire Prompts Mandatory Evacuations in Las Animas County
The county opened a Red Cross shelter at the fairgrounds to house evacuees, including large animals, during response to a roughly 120-acre uncontained fire under a statewide red flag warning.
Overview
- Las Animas County ordered mandatory evacuations for residents on County Road 78.9 and Bear Springs Road/Trail after the Bear Fire began and threatened homes northeast of Hoehne.
- The fire is estimated at about 120 acres and remains uncontained, and fire officials have not yet determined its cause.
- At least five property owners have been evacuated so far and no injuries have been reported by local authorities.
- The Las Animas County Fairgrounds is serving as an evacuation shelter with American Red Cross support and space to house large animals.
- A red flag warning covering much of Colorado raises the risk of new fire starts and could complicate containment efforts, increasing the potential for expanded evacuations or resource needs.