Wildfire prompts pre-evacuation notices for three neighborhoods in southwest Pueblo County

Justin Reutter, Pueblo Chieftain
·1 min read

Pre-evacuation notices have been issued for three neighborhoods in southwest Pueblo County due to an ongoing wildfire that began Oct. 14.

The neighborhoods under pre-evacuation notice are Simonson Meadows, Aspen Acres and Terra J on Highway 78 and Highway 165. The notices were issued due to conditions of the Saint Charles Fire, which is actively burning on U.S. Forest Service land.

"Conditions could quickly change. You need to be prepared to leave your home. Watch local news/trusted social media for more," the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office stated Monday on the social media platform X, formally known as Twitter.

Smoke from the Saint Charles Fire in October 2023.
Smoke from the Saint Charles Fire in October 2023.

The pre-evacuation notices were requested by the U.S. Forest Service, the chief agency responding to the fire, and confirmed through Pueblo and Custer County sheriff's offices, a spokesperson for the PCSO told the Chieftain Monday.

As of the latest update Monday morning, the fire had burned 56 acres and was 0% contained, according to the Saint Charles Fire Facebook page. The fire is burning 1 ½ miles north of San Isabel and 130 people from multiple agencies, both state and local, continue to work on the fire.

"Due to warm, dry, and breezy conditions overnight and into the morning hours, the Saint Charles Fire is burning actively," emergency personnel posted on the Facebook page on Monday.

"Fire crews and aviation resources continue working towards containment. Fire managers expect active fire behavior throughout the day. Smoke is visible from San Isabel and surrounding residences, Rye, Colorado City, Beulah, Wetmore, Pueblo, Pueblo West, the Wet Mountain Valley, Florence, Canon City, the I25 corridor, Hwy 50, Hwy 67, Hwy 165, Penrose, Walsenburg, and Custer, Pueblo, Fremont, Huerfano, and Teller counties."

The U.S. Forest Service could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.

This is a developing story, check back at chieftain.com for additional updates.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jayreutter1.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Wildfire in southwest Pueblo County sparks pre-evacuation notices