By Anthony A. Mestas
The Pueblo Chieftain (Colo.)
MANZANOLA, Colo. — A wildfire burned an estimated 350 acres of sparsely populated grassland Thursday near the Arkansas River.
The blaze started in Otero County and moved northeast into Crowley County near Colorado 207 northeast of Manzanola along the Arkansas River.
Crowley County officials said the fire was fully controlled about 10 p.m.
Colorado 207 was closed at County Road D south of the town of Crowley.
Firefighters from at least seven surrounding communities responded. Crowley County Commissioner Matt Heimerich said the county used road graders to cut vegetation to prevent the flames from spreading. He said the fire traveled east and stayed mostly in the river bottom. Fire crews created back fires to keep the blaze from spreading.
There were no evacuations or injuries and no damage to structures.
The wildfire is the third to spark in the area this month.
Last Tuesday 8,900 acres burned in and around the small town of Ordway. The fire damaged or destroyed 24 buildings and killed two Olney Springs volunteer firefighters. Another fire broke out the same day burning far less land.
The cause of both fires was determined to be the result of controlled burns that took place last Monday. Those fires, not completely extinguished, resulted in a rekindling of combustible materials on Tuesday.
There was no indication of how Thursday’s fire started.
The entire Lower Arkansas Valley was under a red flag warning all day Thursday. Dry grasslands, high winds and lack of moisture continued to create dangerous fire conditions.
Copyright 2008 The Pueblo Chieftain