FOX21 News has a crew responding and will livestream the media briefing at 10 a.m. in the video player above.
(TELLER COUNTY, Colo.) — The Teller County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) said overnight Tuesday, Oct. 29 the fire expanded to 98 acres, but so far no additional structures have been damaged and no additional people have been injured.
TCSO is planning to hold a briefing at 10 a.m. on Tuesday providing an update on the conditions of the fire.
Additional firefighting and emergency agencies arrived on the scene overnight and more state resources are on the way according to TCSO. The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) said it had sent two brush trucks, strike team leader, and Wildland Four to assist and they arrived at 6 a.m. Tuesday.
On Monday, Oct. 28 at around 5 p.m. TCSO issued an evacuation order near Beaver Lake Circle and Blue Mesa Drive due to a structure fire. By around 7 a.m. the fire had grown to 90 acres and became known as the Highland Lake Fire and multiple neighborhoods in the area were evacuated.
The TCSO is urging evacuees to follow deputies’ instructions in affected areas to allow efficient movement for firefighters and is asking the public to avoid the area.
Governor Jared Polis approved additional state resources including aircraft to make air drops on Tuesday morning ahead of expected wind conditions, according to Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell.
The American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming Region said an evacuation center has been opened at the Woodland Park Community Church located at 800 Valley View Drive. Teller County Regional Animal Shelter (TCRAS) is accepting small animals and the Teller County Fairgrounds located at 500 West Carr Avenue in Cripple Creek is accepting large animals.
The American Red Cross has additional information for wildfire safety on its website.
Sheriff Mikesell said the initial structure lost was human-caused and is under investigation for possible criminal charges.
