Ryan Kanode
A grass fire that started in the Proctor, Colorado area Monday morning, March 6, darkened the sky throughout the day, as high winds blowing smoke and dust reduced visibility. More than 70 firefighters responded from 13 fire departments, with seven engines working through the night. Efforts to control the fire continued Tuesday.
30,000+ acres burn in eastern Colorado
By Jes-C French
The Holyoke Enterprise
A large grass fire had the skies looking gray and local residents on high alert Monday, March 6. As of Tuesday, firefighters were still working to control the wildfire that has claimed several homes, outbuildings, livestock and over 30,000 acres in eastern Colorado.
A Tuesday noon report from the Logan County, Colorado Office of Emergency Management noted that a red flag warning was to remain in effect until 5 p.m. with winds reported to be gusting from the northwest between 24-55 mph.
Haxtun, Colo., schools closed at 11 a.m. and Holyoke, Colo., schools at 12:35 p.m. Tuesday, when fire containment remained a concern.
A resolution signed by Logan County Commissioners Tuesday morning declared a local emergency, which turns the incident over to the state of Colorado for the purpose of assistance and funding.
High winds that persisted throughout Monday made the fire particularly dangerous and difficult to fight. Phillips County, Colo., Alert warned of gusts reaching 60-70 mph, and wind was blowing in the 30-40 mph range most of the afternoon.