Highland Lakes wildfire burning in Divide reaches 60% containment, pre-evacuation orders lifted

Fire crews fighting a human-caused wildfire in the mountains northwest of Colorado Springs reached 60% containment, a day after it ignited and forced 700 homes to evacuate. 

The Highland Lakes fire, burning 166 acres in Divide, started as a structure fire before it spread, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said. 

“As a sheriff, one of the worst things that you fear in life, that keeps you up awake, is a fire in the middle of a subdivision and we can’t get people out. This fire had that potential,” Mikesell said during a Tuesday evening update on the wildfire.

More than 150 firefighters were called to fight the fire Tuesday as forecasters warned of strong winds, with gusts up to 60 mph. Still, crews were able to gain some control of the fire, up from 15% containment earlier in the day.

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, pre-evacuation orders for 650 homes were lifted. The sheriff said he hoped some residents who were forced to evacuate could start to return Wednesday morning, though it will depend on fire activity and the weather.

“We really did not get a lot of the moisture we thought we were going to get this afternoon, so it’s still pretty dry. The winds have dried it out quite a bit. We’re hoping for some good fire behavior this evening that will help us be able to manage the fire even more tomorrow,” Mikesell said.

The sheriff said the fire was started by a person, but he declined to release more information, citing the ongoing investigation. 

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

While the fire was rapidly spreading Monday evening, moving from the grasses to trees, cooler temperatures through the night helped slow down the flames. 

“Today, because of the fire conditions, we’re going to be very aggressive,”Mikesell said at a media briefing Tuesday morning. “And I want everybody to know this is the most aggressive I’ve seen during this time of the year.”

“So just know we’re doing everything possible to get this fire knocked down quickly and under control.”

A red flag warning was issued for parts of Teller County for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday because of low moisture and strong winds that will create high fire danger.

The fire is also fueled by a wet spring and summer, when grasses grew tall before drying out, the sheriff said.

“There’s been a lot of mitigation over the years but the problem is a fire with a wind driving it that fast, it’s still going to have an effect,” Mikesell said. 

Officials estimated the value of the 700 homes placed under mandatory evacuation orders at $300 million. The 650 additional homes that were under pre-evacuation orders were estimated with the same property value.

“There’s a lot at risk from this fire,” Mikesell said. 

Flames crept close to homes in several subdivisions, but county Commissioner Dan Williams said brush trucks are keeping homes safe.

“We have toured the area adjacent, it’s eye-watering what they’re doing. So your homes right now are protected, other than one that we’ve lost. The fire has come pretty close, but we’ve got brush trucks,” he said, thanking the nearby and state fire crews helping to fight the fire. 

Areas under mandatory evacuation include Cedar Mountain north to Golden Bell, Wayward Wind, Snowhill, Aspen Village, Broken Wheel, Alpine View, Beaver Lake Circle, Beaver Lake Place and Star View Trail. 

A center for displaced residents was set up at the Woodland Park Community Church at 800 Valley View Dr. in Woodland Park. Large animals can be brought to the Teller County Fairgrounds in Cripple Creek.