Evacuations Ordered for Eastern Colorado Grass Fire

Crews battle high winds as blaze spreads near small town of Padroni

Feb. 25, 2026 at 11:50pm

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Residents in the small town of Padroni, Colorado were ordered to evacuate on Wednesday afternoon as a fast-moving grass fire fueled by strong winds and dry conditions spread through the area. Multiple fire departments were working to contain the blaze, which sparked along Colorado Highway 113 near mile marker 12. The evacuation zone was later expanded to include parts of the nearby towns of Peetz and Iliff.

Why it matters

Grass fires are a major concern in Colorado's Eastern Plains, where high winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation can lead to rapid fire spread and threaten nearby communities. Evacuations are critical to protect public safety when these types of fast-moving fires break out.

The details

The grass fire started along Colorado Highway 113 near mile marker 12 and quickly grew in size, prompting evacuation orders for the town of Padroni. Firefighters from multiple departments responded to battle the blaze, which was being driven by wind gusts up to 55 mph and low humidity levels around 15%. The evacuation zone was later expanded to include parts of Peetz and Iliff as the fire continued to spread.

  • The evacuation orders were issued just before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
  • By 3:30 p.m., the evacuation zone had expanded to include parts of Peetz and Iliff.
  • As of 3:30 p.m., Colorado Highway 113 in Logan County was closed in both directions between County Road 56 north of Padroni and County Road 74 in Peetz due to the fire activity.

The players

Sterling Fire Department

The fire department that initially responded to the grass fire and issued the evacuation orders for Padroni.

Logan Office of Emergency Management

The agency that later expanded the evacuation zone to include parts of Peetz and Iliff.

Colorado Department of Transportation

The agency that closed Colorado Highway 113 in both directions due to the fire activity.

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What’s next

Fire crews will continue to battle the blaze and monitor the situation, with the goal of containing the fire and allowing residents to safely return to their homes.

The takeaway

This grass fire highlights the ongoing threat of fast-moving wildfires in Colorado's Eastern Plains, where dry conditions and high winds can quickly turn a small spark into a major threat to nearby communities. Prompt evacuations and coordinated emergency response are critical to protecting public safety in these situations.