Lt. Governor Primavera Issues Verbal Disaster Declarations for the Post Fire, Sheep Pen Fire, High Fence Fire, and Gotera Fire all located in Las Animas County

DENVER - Today, pursuant to her authority as acting governor under the Colorado Constitution, Article IV, § 13, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera issued a verbal disaster declaration for four fires in Las Animas County. The Lt. Governor's verbal declaration activates the State Emergency Operations Plan and directs the Department of Public Safety and its Divisions of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) to take responsibility for all response, recovery, and mitigation efforts on the Post Fire, Sheep Pen Fire, High Fence Fire, and Gotera Fire all in Las Animas County. This support includes State and interagency engines and handcrews, DFPC and interagency aviation resources, and incident management personnel and overhead to assist in management of the fire and containment efforts. This declaration also authorizes the National Guard to assist in response efforts and makes it easier for out-of-state licensed emergency medical providers to assist in fire response efforts.

Post Fire: The Post Fire has burned 4,705 acres and is at 0% containment.

Sheep Pen Fire: The Sheep Pen Fire has burned 712 acres and is at 0% containment.

High Fence Fire: The High Fence Fire has burned 121 acres and is at 0% containment.

Gotera Fire: The Gotera Fire has burned 23 acres and is at 0% containment.

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