The normally quiet foothills west of Sedalia lit up Sunday evening when the Penley Fire sparked mandatory evacuations and put roughly a dozen structures in harm’s way. County officials estimated the blaze at about 3 acres as fire crews surged into the area, working to shield homes and keep key roads clear. Evacuation orders and warnings went out along Highway 67, and the county opened shelters and animal facilities for residents and livestock. Firefighters planned to stay on the line through the night to protect structures and keep the fire from spreading.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office reported on Facebook that more than 125 firefighters from 10 agencies were attacking the blaze, and that deputies and fire crews would remain on scene overnight with a heavy focus on structure protection. The update included a color‑coded evacuation map, with red zones for immediate evacuation and yellow for an evacuation warning. The yellow area covered locations south of Highway 67 from Rampart Range to Oak Valley Road. The post also listed the fire’s coordinates as 39.394067, -105.040433 and noted that officials were scaling back some evacuation zones as conditions allowed, according to a Facebook post from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Evacuations and shelters
Mandatory evacuations covered roughly a two‑mile radius around West Douglas Fire Station 132 at Highway 67 and Oak Valley, and the county directed displaced residents to the Sedalia Post Office as a first gathering point. A formal shelter was set up at New Hope Church in Castle Rock, while Iron Horse Open Space off I‑25 was designated for livestock and pets. Local reporting noted that officials did not yet have a firm count of the number of homes inside the evacuation area and warned that conditions could shift quickly. For the latest evacuation map and shelter locations, county guidance has been compiled by Denver7.
Firefighting response
On the ground, resources included West Douglas Fire, Castle Rock Fire and a helitack crew working water drops and containment lines, according to local coverage. County information and reporter accounts said personnel from roughly 10 agencies had joined the fight and that more than 100 firefighters were engaged in battling the blaze. There were no immediate reports of injuries or confirmed structural loss, but the fire remained a real threat to buildings west of Sedalia. See additional reporting from CBS Colorado.
Why residents should be alert
Douglas County has been under Stage 2 fire restrictions since early July, limiting open burning, fireworks and campfires in an effort to cut the risk of new ignitions in peak fire season. The sheriff’s office has warned that violating Stage 2 rules can bring fines and urged residents to avoid any activities that might throw sparks or embers. Officials also asked people in threatened areas to secure pets and livestock, keep an evacuation plan ready to go, and leave driveways and access routes clear so engines and ambulances can get through. For details on restrictions and safety guidance, see the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Where to get updates
Authorities stressed that the situation remained fluid and urged residents to follow official county channels and local media for any changes to evacuation zones, road closures or containment progress. Local outlets including Denver7 and CBS Colorado are updating coverage as new information becomes available.
