FORT GARLAND — The American Red Cross of Colorado & Wyoming has closed the evacuation shelters in Fort Garland and Walsenburg.

The shelters, located at the Fort Garland/Blanca Community Center and the Huerfano County Community Center, were opened due to the evacuation requirements for the Spring Fire.

The Fort Garland shelter was opened June 28 with a total of 69 overnight stays at the facility. The shelter was also used during the day as an information and meeting point for evacuees and responders. More than 100 meals were served at the shelter each day. Many of those meals were provided by businesses and restaurants in the local area.

The Walsenburg shelter was opened June 29 with a total of 74 overnight stays at the facility. The shelter was also used during the day for information and meeting points for evacuees, and three meals were provided daily. Frequent updates about the ire were presented at the shelter to keep evacuees informed.

The closing of these shelters does not suggest that the Red Cross has ended the response to the Spring Fire. Volunteers and staff will continue to provide recovery services over the next several days. Anyone affected by the Spring Fire and in need of Red Cross recovery support is urged to call the casework hotline at 719-785-2768. Caseworkers will provide access to Red Cross support as well as to support available from other agencies and organizations.

Follow the Red Cross on Twitter at @COWYRedCross. Visit our blog for the latest support information for the Spring Fire at http://cowyredcrossblog.org/index.php/2018/06/28/spring-creek-wildfire-support/.

Information is also available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wcoredcross.

Caption: A Red Cross volunteer talks to an evacuee outside the Red Cross shelter in Fort Garland./Courtesy photos by Roger Enix/American Red Cross