Evacuations ordered near Rampart Reservoir as fire sparks

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. – Evacuations have been ordered near Rampart Reservoir after a fire that sparked Monday grew quickly on the southwest side of the reservoir amid high winds and warm temperatures.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office ordered evacuations for areas near Shubarth Trail, Farish, Rampart Reservoir, and Rampart Range Road south of Loy Creek.

The sheriff’s office said the fire was around 25 acres in size as of 4:30 p.m. An image of the evacuation area can be seen below.

The sheriff’s office said 37 area residents were notified of the evacuations via a reverse calling system.

Several other fires are burning across Colorado Monday amid a period of above-average temperatures and high winds ahead of an incoming cold front. Red Flag Warnings have been issued for much of the area in and along the Rocky Mountains.

The Junkins Fire in southern Colorado has already grown to more than 13,000 acres Monday, officials said.

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Posted on: October 17, 2016Blair Miller