A wildfire burning near Lake City in southwestern Colorado continued to grow overnight Saturday, consuming several hundred more acres, according to fire officials.
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As of Sunday morning, the Elk fire had burned an estimated 6,760 acres and was 36% contained, according to fire officials.
The lightning-sparked wildfire was first reported on July 9, but saw a sudden increase in activity last week. Containment around the wildfire dropped from 42% as the fire exploded in size, racing across more than 4 square miles and nearly doubling its footprint in two days.
But crews have started to regain control around part of the fire’s perimeter, increasing containment from 34% on Saturday to 36% on Sunday, fire officials said.
As of Sunday, mandatory evacuation orders remained in place for the San Juan Springs subdivision, according to Hinsdale County officials. That includes homes on San Juan Springs Drive, Rocky Springs Drive, Silver Springs Drive, Elk Road, Deer Trail and Eagle Drive.
Downtown Lake City, the San Juan Ranch Estates, the Ball Flats neighborhood, the Lake City Heights subdivision, homes from Henson Creek Bridge south of Lake City to Pleasant View properties and homes west of Colorado 149 all remained on preevacuation status, according to county officials.
“Anyone living in these areas that currently feels unsafe due to the recent activity of the Elk Fire or the increase in smoke in the air should consider voluntarily evacuating at any time,” officials wrote on the county’s webpage.
Those who need additional time to evacuate should also consider leaving, county officials said.
Crews are focusing on protecting homes and structures closest to the fire, which is primarily growing to the west, fire officials said in a Sunday update. The goal is to steer the fire away from Lake City.
Elevated fire danger is expected through Sunday, which could increase the fire’s growth and send new waves of smoke into the sky, according to the update.
“Moderating weather conditions are expected to move into the area Monday, with potential for increased clouds, higher relative humidity, and possible precipitation throughout the week,” officials wrote in the update.
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This is a developing story and may be updated.
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