Las Animas-Huerfano Counties District Health Department

Mark your calendars! The SPRHC Mobile Van and LAHCDHD Nurses will be in Gardner on June 4th for a community health screening!

Las Animas-Huerfano Counties District Health Department Serving two counties with one common goal.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, or simply need someone to talk to — you are not alone.

Licensed professionals are available to listen and help FOR FREE to children, youth, and adults residing in Las Animas and Huerfano Counties.

Enroll today by completing the participant enrollment form:
https://forms.gle/1t5YAoY1V5mvP8PF8

Week is a great time to make a plan. Do you know what you’ll do, where you’ll go, & how you’ll stay safe if a storm threatens? Think through your next steps — a simple plan can help you act quickly and be prepared.

Visit: www.ready.gov/plan

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

Thank you to our incredible LAHCDHD Administrative staff for everything you do each day. Your dedication, organization, and support make a difference in our team and our community.

We appreciate you!

Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do in case of a fire.

As warmer weather approaches, it's the perfect time to focus on your home fire escape plan!

Start planning and practicing your fire escape drill today with these helpful tips: https://nfpa.social/4crFwKq

Need diapers? We have FREE diapers available in at our offices at 412 Benedicta Ave, Trinidad, CO or 119 E. 5th St., Walsenburg, CO. Call 719-846-2213 or 719-738-2650 to request your bundle.

Gardner community — you’re invited!

Join us for a **FREE Community Health Screening** right here in Gardner, CO! This is a great opportunity to check in on your health, ask questions, and connect with local resources — all at no cost.

Bring your friends, family, and neighbors — everyone is welcome! Let’s take care of our community together. 💙

For more information, contact: LAHCDHD at 719-738-2650

Listen to local officials if you are alerted about critical fire weather in your area.

Fire can spread quickly and be hard to control in these weather conditions.

5 "Don'ts" to help prevent wildfires via Smokey Bear ⤵️

Safe driving seeds grow into safer roads. 🌱

Here are 7 seeds you need to be planting this spring! ⤵️

***Schwachheim Fire Update***

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 – 10 a.m.

Colorado Incident Management Team
Phil Daniels, Incident Commander

Size: 646 acres | Containment: 0% | Total Personnel: approximately 100
Location: Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area, southeast of Trinidad in Las Animas County
Reported: April 12, 2026, at 4:40 p.m.

Special Notes: The Colorado Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed management of the fire at 6:00 a.m. this morning. The Team is working closely with local and national resources, who remain actively engaged in suppression efforts. The fire location is less than two miles north of the New Mexico border.

Yesterday, Governor Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency. This 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 all necessary and appropriate actions to assist with response, recovery, and mitigation efforts. This support includes engine and hand crews to assist in containment efforts, DFPC aerial resources, and the DFPC-sponsored Type 3 Incident Management Team to manage incident response efforts.

Current Situation: The fire is burning in grass and brush in an old burn scar area of rugged, steep drainages west of Lake Dorothey Reservoir.

Weather: Critical fire weather is expected to continue, with temperatures in the upper 60’s to mid 70’s. Fire behavior will be wind-driven, with west-southwest winds gusting up to 35 mph and humidity values as low as 10%.

Fire Behavior: The fire was active overnight, with some growth in the east drainage. Yesterday, crews on the ground were assisted with aviation resources, including two Large Air Tankers (LATs), a Type 1 helicopter, and a Type 2 helicopter. Erratic and shifting winds combined with difficult terrain contributed to fire growth yesterday. More resources have been ordered and are enroute.

Closures: Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area, southeast of Trinidad near the N.M. border, is closed. Turkey hunting license holders for this property will be notified directly by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect in the airspace above the fire. Wildfires are always a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit www.knowbeforeyoufly.org

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Las Animas County, Colorado, including the towns of Trinidad, Aguilar, El Moro, Cokedale, Jansen, and Hoehne. Statewide Fire Restrictions are also in effect in New Mexico. Smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning, and gas flares related to oil and gas production are prohibited.

Evacuations: None. Stay informed and sign up for Las Animas County, Colorado emergency alerts at: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/login.action?lpse=1
Sign up for Colfax County, NM emergency alerts at: https://accountportal.onsolve.net/colfaxcountynm/contact