Updated at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 31st, 2023.
Two separate grass fires started Thursday in Elbert and Park counties in Colorado.
By Friday morning, the Elizabeth Fire Department said the fire was near full containment and lifted evacuation orders for the town of Simla in Elbert County.
Silma was evacuated Thursday afternoon as 700 acres were under threat. One building burned.
Residents who did evacuate were asked to go to the Elbert County Fairgrounds.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning along the Front Range Friday due to strong winds and dry conditions.
The Park County fire has spread into Teller County
Evacuations are ongoing Friday morning near Lake George in Park County.
The Teller County Sheriff's Office planned to provide an update at 9 a.m. Friday.
Fire danger is expected to remain high Friday with windy and dry conditions.
A Red Cross evacuation center is open at the Woodland Park Community Church. People can also take small animals to the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter.
Late Thursday, Teller County Sheriff's Deputy Lt. Wes Walter said the blaze is also burning near the Wilson Lakes and Forest Glenn subdivisions.
More than 100 homes have been evacuated in the area.
No injuries or structural damage have been reported. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Park County Emergency Management says the fire was reported at 10:52 a.m. from a nearby resident.
An Air Quality Health Advisory for wild smoke is in effect for southeastern Park County and western Teller County. Residents were advised to leave the area.
