Overview
There is an active wildfire in Huerfano County South and West of Big Sheep Mountain near County Road 531. Multiple Fire Protection Districts and the Huerfano County Fire Protection District are responding.
A pre-evacuation notice has been issued due to smoke exposure. No evacuations have been ordered at this time.
This page will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.
Register for HCNotify alerts at https://huerfano.us/hcnotify-sign-up/
June 30, 2026 – 9AM Update
The Big Sheep fire expanded up to 1000 acres, with 30% containment. Overnight burnout operations were successful at directing the course of the fire. Additional resources are en route to work on hot spots and increased containment. No evacuation notices have been issued. However, the pre-evacuation notice does currently remain in effect but will be re-evaluated after 12 Noon today. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Huerfano County would like to thank La Veta Fire, Huerfano Fire, Upper Huerfano Fire, Costilla County, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, and the federal Bureau of Land Management for their efforts on scene. We are also grateful for law enforcement personnel from the Sheriff’s Office and Walsenburg Police Department who are providing direct communication with impacted residents and scene security.
June 29, 2026 – 10PM Update
At this time, no evacuation notices have been issued and no evacuation notices are anticipated overnight.
The pre-evacuation notice remains in effect out of an abundance of caution and was sent to a larger area than where any potential evacuations would occur; as far west as CR 562, east to Farisita (CR 540 & CR 546), and north to Highway 69. If an evacuation were ordered, a formal map would be shared.
Fire containment, suppression, and monitoring activities are continuing overnight. An update is planned for Tuesday morning barring any urgent changes. Huerfano County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the fire and will issue a Reverse 911 alert via HCNotify and update the County website and social media.
Register for HCNotify alerts at https://huerfano.us/hcnotify-sign-up/
If you are in the impacted area and see spreading flames or spot fires overnight, please call 911 to inform Dispatch.
June 29, 2026 – 8PM Update
Pre-Evacuation Notice
This is a pre-evacuation notice for areas north of the Big Sheep Fire to Highway 69 exposed to the smoke. Please prepare essential items at this time and ensure your emergency kits are in or near your primary vehicle. Include the 6 Ps: People/Pets, Papers (documents), Prescriptions, Pictures, Personal Computers, and Plastic/Cash. Responders are actively engaging with the fire and working on containment. Additional notices will be sent if an evacuation is ordered.
The current estimate for the size of the fire is 315-340 acres.