Unknown Cause of Fires Along Highway 287

Fire Crews Respond to Wheat Field Fire South of Lamar

Two fires broke out on the southeast Colorado plains Friday afternoon, June 15^th, and as of Monday, June 18th, according to Prowers County Fire Chief, Staffon Warn, the causes have not been determined.

148 acres of uncut wheat were burned, just south of the Hixson farms, along Highway 287, about 7 miles south of Lamar. One structure was in danger of igniting and fire-fighting crews altered their response to deal with the situation, preventing any damage to the home.  Residents were evacuated and were able to return within twenty minutes of leaving.

One fire truck from Lamar responded including one from Wiley, four trucks from the Prowers County Rural Fire Department and seven personnel. Warm said the Stulp family, which has a residence and farm in the vicinity, assisted with a maintainer to cut a fire line through the field.

A second fire ignited one-half mile south of Gobblers Knob Rest Stop also along Highway 287. Three acres of grass were burned.  That fire was extinguished using one truck from Prowers Rural and two personnel, and Baca County assisted with one truck and three personnel as well as one ambulance.

Early last week, the Prowers County Commissioners and Sheriff Sam Zordel issued a statement instituting a fire ban throughout the county.

By Russ Baldwin