CONEJOS COUNTY — On Sunday , a rapidly moving fire of unknown origins forced evacuations and burned at least 2,000 acres, as well as one home and outbuildings.

Another home south of Manassa burned to the ground at the same time, but was not connected to the wildfire, according to Connie Ricci Conejos County public information officer.

Ricci said firefighters had knocked that fire down and were cleaning and mopping up at around 4 p.m. when they received a call about the G18 fire and responded. They did not take a break from the first house fire, Ricci said.

That home was occupied by Paul Garel, a Manassa employee. He and his three children were able to escape and the wife/mother Miranda, was at work.

They lost everything they owned, along with a family pet.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for them. A goal of $5,000 has been set. To support the family go to: gf.me/v/c/ymbj/paul-and-miranda-garel

As the rapidly moving fire covered more and more acres, another occupied home was burned, along with a garage, grain bin and saddle shed. Ricci said that home is part of the fire investigation so its occupants cannot be identified.  The loss in that fire is unavailable as Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agents have joined the local and Colorado State Fire Prevention and Control and South Conejos Fire Protection District in seeking cause of the massive fire.

Named G-18, the fire started the afternoon of Oct. 27 and the South Conejos Fire Protection District was dispatched to an area near County Road G and County Road 17.

When fire crews arrived, the fire had begun to spread north and east.

Large numbers of cattle were displaced and numerous fences, pasture and haystacks were burned.

At the firefighters’ time of arrival, the fire had begun to spread north and east.

Large numbers of cattle were displaced. The fire was approximately 2,000 plus acres in size but the final size is yet to be determined. One structure and three outbuildings were burned and Sheriff Garth Crowther reported minor injuries to one volunteer firefighter but no other injuries were reported.