March 7 (UPI) — A brush fire in Logan County, Colo., destroyed three homes, evacuated three schools and prompted pre-evacuation notices for 900 more homes, county officials said.
The fast-moving fire was reported Monday morning, and by the evening it consumed 30,000 acres in northeastern Colorado, county spokesperson Lyle Mouton said.
Wind gusts of more than 60 mph expanded the fire. The Logan Office of Emergency Management declared the fire 90 percent contained by Monday night, but prior to midnight, county officials reduced that figure to 50 percent due to unextinguished flare-ups. Crews stayed on scene overnight, KMGH-TV, Denver, reported.
Marilee Johnson, county spokesperson, said about 900 pre-evacuation notices were sent by automated telephone calls. Area roads, including Interstate 76, were closed until Monday evening, the Colorado Department of Transportation reported.
More than a dozen fire companies — assisted by local farmers digging trenches — were involved in containing the fire. No fire-related injuries were reported.
Logan EOM reported four structures, including three homes, were destroyed in the fire.
