Mandatory evacuations remain in place for residents about 14 miles north of Gunnison after lightning sparked a wildfire Wednesday afternoon, fire officials said.
The wildfire, dubbed the Low Line fire, quickly grew to about 680 acres — roughly a square mile — and was still completely uncontained Thursday morning. No deaths or injuries have been reported, but the fire is endangering some buildings.
Crews are battling the flames with air tankers and smoke jumpers, and helicopters are bringing teams to the frontlines of the wildfire, officials with the Gunnison Regional 911 Center said.
Residents in the Mill Creek Drainage west of the intersection of County Road 730 and 727 are under mandatory evacuation.
Officials also warned residents along County Road 818 to the intersection of County Road 730 to prepare to evacuate if the wildfire spreads or conditions worsen. Those residents should gather important items and be ready to leave if a mandatory evacuation is issued, officials said.
Owners of large animals can take them to the Gunnison County Fairgrounds.
Fire crews are responding to the scene, emergency management officials said. Weather in the area is expected to be partly cloudy, with light winds and a high around 83.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
