Evacuations Ordered For 31 Acre Platte River Fire In Jefferson County

UPDATE: Evacuations Remain As 30+ Acre Jefferson County Wildfire Burns Near Structures

JEFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - A wildfire on Thursday in Jefferson County prompted evacuation orders for more than two dozen homes in the Ramona Gulch area. The Platte River Fire has burned at least 31 acres on the south side of Platte River Road, about 3 miles east of Foxton Road.

Crews said spot fires on the north side of the road were contained by 9 p.m. Thursday. Two engines will continue to battle the fire overnight.

Investigators say no structures were lost or threatened. An evacuation center will reman open overnight at Conifer High school. Officials encourage evacuated residents to check in but they do not need to stay at the site.

The Platte River Fire was first reported around 2:30 p.m. in the 17000 block of West Platte River Road.

The fire appears to have started from a downed power line, according to Jeffco officials. Officials said the fire was 0% contained as of 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

The North Fork Trail at Reynolds Park is closed until further notice. Residents can bring large animals such as horses to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for text alerts about the fire and evacuations through the CodeRED app. Updates on the fire will also be posted at this link.

A Type 2 Helicopter, two airtankers and 1 Air Attack responded to the to fire on Thursday afternoon. The smoke plume from the fire could be seen from several miles away.

Temperatures on Thursday afternoon in the Denver metro area were in the mid-90s, and skies above the city are already hazy due to smoke drifting in from out-of-state wildfires.

Fire danger isn't listed as high for Colorado's Front Range Thursday, but for western Colorado there's a Red Flag Warning in effect.