New Forest Fire Breaks Out Near Southfork
Hundreds Evacuated In Path Of Fire
POSTED: 5:02 p.m. MDT June 19, 2002
UPDATED: 6:19 p.m. MDT June 19, 2002
SOUTH FORK, Colo. -- Crews are attacking yet another fire -- this
time near South Fork in Rio Grande County.
Sheriff's Sgt. Dusty Little said the fire broke out about
1:30 p.m. in the Rio Grande National Forest. The cause
wasn't known.
Initial estimates put the size at 250 acres to 500 acres one
mile south of South Fork. It was burning in pine and spruce in an
area where there are a lot of trees that have been killed by
beetles and worms.
About 300 people near South Fork have been forced out of their
homes. The sheriff's office says the fire is at least a mile from
the nearest houses.
A shelter has been set up in a Del Norte middle school gym.
Firefighters and smoke jumpers were working on the blaze. Two air
tankers and one helicopter were helping. Fire officials
requested more help.
U.S. Highway 160 was closed between Pagosa Springs and Alamosa, Colo., due to the fire.
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
