ARCHULETA COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) - Governor Jared Polis issued a verbal disaster declaration for a southern Colorado wildfire on Sunday.

His office said it was for the Oak Fire that sparked in Archuleta County. It’s burning west of Pagosa Springs, north of State Highway 160, in the Elk Park and Ironwood subdivision, according to the governor’s office.

They said the fire has been growing rapidly, exceeding local resources and warranting a larger response.

The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said it began as a structure fire, forcing evacuations. They said they initially set up Pagosa Springs High School as an evacuation center.

Later, they said they set up an emergency call center for information related to the fire, which can be reached at (970) 422-7084.

With the governor’s disaster

See Full Page