WESTCLIFFE, Colo. | The Latest on the wildfire burning near the southern Colorado town of Westcliffe (all times local):
10:55 a.m.
The residents of 130 homes have been ordered to evacuate because of a wildfire burning in gusty winds near the southern Colorado town of Westcliffe.
The Colorado emergency management division says people who live in 140 other homes have also been warned to be ready to evacuate if needed.
People in nearby Beulah, which was evacuated by another wildfire earlier this month, are among those who have been warned to be ready to leave.
The Custer County Emergency Management Office says the Junkins Fire was reported at around 3:30 a.m. Monday. One of the state’s firefighting planes has been brought in to estimate its size and provide information to firefighters.
The state health department expects the fire to put out moderate to heavy smoke over the region.
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7:55 a.m.
Residents are being evacuated by a wildfire near the southern Colorado town of Westcliffe.
The Custer County Sheriff’s Office says the fire has also shut down state Highway 96 Monday near the town at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Strong winds are forecast across the state and a red flag warning has been issued for the eastern half of Colorado.