Highland Lakes wildfire continues to burn on nearly 100 acres in Teller County

A Teller County wildfire burning on nearly 100 acres near Cedar Mountain has destroyed at least one home and evacuated roughly 700 others, fire officials said Tuesday.

The person-started Highland Lakes fire started Monday afternoon and quickly grew, charring 98 acres — about the size of 75 football fields — by Tuesday morning, fire officials with the Teller County Sheriff’s Office said.

One home has been destroyed and county officials are “dealing with the possibility we might lose more,” Sheriff Jason Mikesell said at a briefing Monday night. No additional homes were lost overnight and no injuries have been reported as of Tuesday morning.

Teller County officials declared a disaster emergency late Monday night and said Tuesday that state resources are on their way to the fire.

The fire moved quickly Monday from grasses to trees, but fire activity died down as temperatures cooled for the night.

Strong winds of up to 60 mph forecast for Tuesday afternoon could rekindle the slowed flames, especially when paired with the low humidity expected ahead of Wednesday’s storms, according to the National Weather Service.

Evacuated areas 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, according to Teller County sheriff’s officials.

County Road 511 and County Road 51 are both closed between County Road 5 and County Road 512 for fire operations, sheriff’s officials said.

A shelter for people displaced by the fire is set up at Woodland Park Community Church, 800 Valley View Drive in Woodland Park.