Dozens of Colorado Water Wells Damaged by Black Forest Fire

An assessment by the El Paso County health department has found damage to dozens of wells that supply water to homes in the area burned by the Black Forest Fire in June.

The Gazette reports a survey of 522 wells showed one-third suffered some form of damage, either through melted wires or exposed well caps. State and county officials have urged residents to temporarily cap their wells to keep rain out.

The damage could be worse than the survey indicates. The survey was of homes on an initial list from sheriff’s officials of homes that burned. It doesn’t include wells damaged at houses that are still standing.

The health department is researching the exact danger to the wells and underlying aquifer.