Huerfano County on pins and needles over potential fires

HUERFANO- As fire trucks took off south from the La Veta fire station, sirens blaring, anxious residents peered out windows and called each other, asking if anyone knew what was going on.
After watching our neighbors to the north and south south massive wildfires this summer, Huerfanos are hoping to avoid the same fate. Record drought throughout the region however, are making that more and more difficult.
Three fires were reported in Huerfano County on Monday- one in each fire district. The first fire was just west of I-25 near the Apache City exit, the second was reported off of Pass Creek, and the third in Echo Canyon. “The La Veta Fire Protection District is handling the Echo Canyon blaze,” Huerfano County dispatch said. “The Upper Huerfano County Fire Department is working the Pass Creek Fire out of Gardner; and Huerfano Fire Department is responding to Apache City.”
The fire crew at Apache found a small grass fire which they quickly knocked down. No fire was found at the Pass Creek location- it is thought the smoke sighted was actually from the Apache fire.
At the Echo Canyon fire, firefighters found a tree which had been struck by lightning, and put it out.
So, so far so good. Catastrophe averted. We are however, going into our ‘monsoon’ season, with lots of lightning strikes. Keep your eyes open, and report anything suspicious quickly and hope we get some real rain soon.