Highway 50 Closed Near Las Animas due to Rangeland Fire

A wind-driven, fast-moving prairie fire closed highway 50 to traffic at 1:10 pm Saturday afternoon. There is a multi-community response from area fire departments to contain the fire.

Traffic was diverted just outside of Lamar at the Wiley Junction and another detour point at county road 20 near Hasty. The fire closed traffic on Highway 50 at county road 20 just west of Hasty to mile marker 405 west of Las Animas.

The fire was not contained as of 6:00 pm. and no buildings have been destroyed and there have been no injuries reported at this time. The fire has been burning in the river bottom, but that was brought under control and continues to burn on rangeland. Winds have been blowing 40 to 50 mph and have been making the firefighting very difficult. Other wide-spread prairie fires were reported through the afternoon.