Photos by Brian Williams Two homes were burning in the 700 block of Clay Street in the Lariat subdivision on the southwest side of Monte Vista. 

MONTE VISTA — Firefighters extinguished a fire that burned two homes in the 700 block of Clay Street on Monte Vista’s southwest side on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Monte Vista Fire Department had four engines on the scene in the Lariat subdivision, two on Clay and two on Cass streets. The Monte Vista Police Department, Rio Grande Sheriff’s Office, and Colorado State Patrol are assisting with roadblocks and evacuation of nearby homes. 

The Monte Vista School District earlier sent a notice to parents that Bill Metz Elementary was being evacuated to the high school and that students could be picked up there, emphasizing that the evacuation was “just a precaution.” 

Parents were advised that students normally dropped off at Bill Metz would be taken to the high school instead and could be dropped off there. They further advised those living in the Lariat area to not allow kids to walk home.