TELLER COUNTY, Colo. – The Highland Lakes Fire burning near Divide is approximately 98 acres and 5% contained ahead of a windy day in Teller County, officials announced Tuesday.

Sheriff Jason Mikesell said residents of 700 homes were evacuated and one was destroyed. The fire, which was started by one or more people, started in a house and spread outside, he said Tuesday morning. He could not say exactly where or how the fire started, or whether a suspect has been identified.

“We are treating this as a criminal act,” he said.

Crews prepare for windy day on human-caused Highland Fire in Teller County

Some people were treated for smoke inhalation, but otherwise no injuries have been reported, according to the Teller County Sheriff’s Office. The fire started on Monday.

Overnight, more fire personnel arrived on the scene and fanned out around the area, and more state resources are expected Tuesday.

“Overall, the response from first responders has been prompt and robust,” the sheriff’s office said.

The map below shows the latest evacuation (orange) and pre-evacuation (yellow) orders for this fire as of 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Teller County Sheriff’s Office

An evacuation center has been established at Woodland Park Community Church, located at 800 Valley View Drive in Woodland Park.

Nearby residents have been asked to stay away so firefighters can continue moving around the fire. However, if someone needs to access your home to receive life-critical medications, please call Teller County Dispatch at 719-687-9652.

The sheriff’s office reminds the public not to fly drones over the fire, as it forces firefighting planes to land.

Firefighting plan for Tuesday

Winds will increase Tuesday afternoon, with sustained gusts between 50 and 55 mph, Sheriff Mikesell said. That leaves the area at “high risk” on Tuesday, he said.

“We feel comfortable because we have begun to have good containment, but really today, due to the conditions of the fire, we are going to be very aggressive,” he said. “I want everyone to know that this is the most aggressive fire I have seen during this time of year… We are doing everything we can to put this fire out quickly and under control… We are concerned about the turn of the weather. We have many resources “

Local agencies and state partners are on the scene, or en route, to assist on the ground and from the sky. The sheriff said he is “pretty comfortable” with the number of people on site, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to start allowing residents to return to their homes.

“It is still a dangerous fire and we are treating it as such,” he said.

The investigation into the origin of the fire is ongoing. While limited information is available, the sheriff’s office is treating it as a “criminal act” and investigators are searching the area and doing “crime scene type things” on Tuesday, Mikesell said.

Road closures

All County Road 511 and County Road 51 from County 5 to County 512 are closed.

Do you want to donate?

The Teller County Sheriff’s Office is accepting donations for the following items to deliver to firefighters:

• Gatorade
• Bottled water
• Mixed nuts or trail mix
• granola bars
• Hand wipes
• Cough drops
• Eye drops
• lipstick

Homemade products will not be accepted.

Teller County Fire Ban

The entire county is currently under a stage 3 fire ban. This prohibits burning logging, open fires, outdoor cooking, outdoor smoking, outdoor welding (unless approved), fireworks, model rockets, explosives, and recreational shooting.

Information about Woodland Park School District

Students in grades 7-12 in the Woodland Park School District will attend school remotely on Tuesday.

Animal shelter

Residents who need to shelter their animals can bring their small pets to the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter, located at 308 Weaverville Road in Divide. Call 719-686-7707 or email [email protected] for information. He said he doesn’t need any supplies now, but he’s welcome donations. Anyone needing supplies can go to the shelter’s CARE House, at 404 Highway 67 in Woodland Park, or the shelter on Weaverville Road in Divide.

The largest animals to the Teller County Fairgrounds, located at 421-433 Carr Ave. in Cripple Creek.