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Fires burning across Colorado: Latest updates on Spring Fire, Golf Course Fire and more

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DENVER -- Firefighters continue to battle a dozen wildland fires burning more than 153,000 acres on National Forest System Lands, with the majority of them burning in the Rocky Mountain area. 

The largest of them all, the 416 Fire burning approximately 10 miles north of Durango in southwestern Colorado, has burned 41,617 acres of land as of Saturday morning and is 37 percent contained. Here's the latest information on the fires burning across the state:

Golf Course Fire

Size: 20 acres
Containment: 70 percent (7:38 a.m. update)
Location: West of Grand Lake

Mandatory evacuations have been lifted for 300 homes in Grand County, which affected about 450 people, but road closures remain as fire crews continue to battle the Golf Course Fire. The latest information for Saturday:

7:38 a.m.: Officials say agencies will be working throughout the day to transition management back to Grand Lake Fire Protection District. The fire is currently 70% contained with an anticipated 100% containment by end of day. County Road 48 remains closed from County Road 471 to Deer Drive. Officials ask that do you not enter the close area as this causes interference with firefighting efforts.

High Chateau Fire

Size: 662 acres (3:50 p.m. update)
Containment: 0 percent
Location: Central Teller County

Authorities on Saturday added more areas to the mandatory evacuation list after 111 homes were evacuated Friday. The latest information for Saturday:

4:07 p.m.: The Teller County Sheriff's Office has placed the following areas and subdivisions on pre evacuation status: La Montana Mesa, Las Brisas, Ranch Resorts behind Evergreen station, Evergreen Station, Lazy M Ranch, Lazy BM Ranch.

3:50 p.m.: A shelter has been opened at Florissant Fire Station and Cripple Creek Victor School District RE1. Voluntary evacuations are in place for Doe Valley and Park Ridge subdivisions in Park County. 

12:11 p.m.: The High Chateau Fire has burned 234 more acres on Saturday, according to the Teller County Sheriff's Office. The current acreage burned stands at 661 acres. There are no new evacuations as of last night. Four to five structures have been lost, according to officials. Donations are being accepted at the Teller County Sheriff's Office. There is a request for chapstick, sunblock and throat lozenges.

9:32 a.m.: The Teller County Sheriff's Office added the following subdivisions as part of evacuation orders: Slater Creek Road, Eagle Crest Ranch at Slater Creek, Sunrise Ridge, Chateau West, Dome Rock Ranch, Living Forest Estates, and Lookout Point Road.

Spring Fire

Size: 38,136 acres
Containment: 0 percent
Location: East of Fort Garland

The Spring Fire burning in Costilla County grew over 5,000 acres overnight to 38,136 acres as it was fueled by high temperatures, winds and low relative humidity. The latest information for Saturday:

2:55 p.m.: Officials have released the mugshot of 52-year-old Jesper Jorgenson, who was arrested Saturday on arson charges in connection with the massive Spring Fire in Costilla County, which is currently 38,136 acres in size. 

2:23 p.m.: Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for Navajo Ranch, Majors Ranch, and for homes along County Road 530 and south to Highway 160, Huerfano County officials say.  

1:48 p.m.: The man arrested on arson charges in connection with the Spring Fire in Costilla County has been identified as Jesper Jorgenson, per San Luis Valley emergency officials. 

1:35 p.m.: A man is in custody on suspicion of arson in connection with the massive Spring Fire in Costilla County, officials said during a 1 p.m. community meeting. 

11:56 a.m.: The public information line for the Spring Fire is (719) 480-8719 for questions related to non-fire operations including evacuation, re-entry, donations, etc. 

10:21 a.m.: Stage 2 fire restrictions have begun on all Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in the counties of Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache. 

10 a.m.:  There will be a 1pm meeting for evacuees held at the evacuation center located at the Blanca/Ft Garland Community Center, 17591 E Hwy 160. This meeting will provide resources to evacuees as well as a fire update. 

9:20 a.m.: Highway 12 from County Road 420 in La Veta to the summit of Cuchara Pass is closed as the Spring Fire continues to move east. Highway 160 will remain closed from Fort Garland to La Veta.

Stonemoor Fire

Size: 217 acres (12:30 p.m. update)
Containment: 40 percent (12:30 p.m. update)
Location: Pueblo County, in the southwest area of the Stonemoor Hills neighborhood 

Pueblo County Sheriff's Emergency Services Bureau responded to a grass fire southwest of the Stonemoor Hills neighborhood Friday afternoon. The latest information for Saturday:

12:30 p.m.: The Stonemoor Fire is now 40 percent contained, Pueblo County Sheriff's officials said. The fire grew by 80 acres overnight - now stands at 217 acres. 

10:07 a.m.: Evacuation orders have been lifted for residents living on Highway 96 from McCarthy Blvd to the reservoir access, according to the sheriff’s office.

10:05 a.m.: A portion of f Highway 96 west remains closed. The Nature and Raptor Center has been advised they can re-enter. No homes were damaged, and no injuries have been reported, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office says.

9:55 a.m.: Colorado Parks and Wildlife has reopened the 93 campsites at Arkansas Point Campground on the south side of Pueblo Reservoir at Lake Pueblo State Park. Access is now allowed at the Southshore Marina, the visitor center, as well as the South Fishing day-use area. The park is allowing boat launching at both the north and south ramps. Closed areas at Lake Pueblo State Park include: Rock Canyon area (including trail closures), Swim beach, Anticline pond, Osprey picnic area, Valco Ponds parking lot, paved trail access to the park from the nature center is closed.

Sugarloaf Fire

Size: 1,311 acres
Containment: No information available
Location: About 13 miles southwest of Fraser

Firefighters are doing assessment work and making plans to protect values at risk Saturday. The latest information for Saturday: 

10 a.m.: A closure is now in effect near the fire to the east of Grand County Road 3, south of the Keyser Creek/Churches Park Road, and going east as far as the Fraser Experimental Forest. For more details, see the closure order posted on Inciweb.

Weston Pass Fire

Size: 1,500 acres
Containment: 10 percent
Location: 9 miles southwest of Fairplay

Mandatory evacuation have been issued to residents in the immediate vicinity of the Weston Pass Fire south of County Rd 22.. Evacuations for Black Mountain subdivisions north of County Rd 22 are voluntary at this time but residents should be prepared for a full evacuation. County Rd 22 is closed to all traffic. Surrounding areas are encouraged to remove livestock and pets out of the area and to prepare to evacuate. The latest information for Saturday:

3:50 p.m.: US Highway 285 is closed between Highway 9 and Highway 24 at Antero Junction. Residents with proof of residency may have access to County Rd 22, 18, and 24.

10 a.m.: A community meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Community Center (Faigrounds) located at 880 Bogue Street in Fairplay for those affected by the fire.

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Firefighters also continue to battle the 416 and Burro fires in southwestern Colorado, which continue to be active despite little grow overnight. The 416 Fire was estimated to be 47,031 acres in size as of Saturday morning and 37 percent contained. The Burro Fire was estimated to be 3,839 acres in size and was 40 percent contained Saturday.

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