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Crews Get Some Containment On Springer Fire

LAKE GEORGE, Colo. (CBS4/AP) — The Springer Fire burning in the Pike National Forest has grown to 1,100 acres but it is now 10 percent contained.

The fire is burning near Lake George, about 10 miles west of where the Hayman Fire burned 10 years ago.

It has prompted the evacuation of about 150 homes, a Boy Scout camp and the Eleven Mile Canyon Recreation Area. A monastery of nuns has also evacuated voluntarily.

Springer Fire Map
(credit: CBS)

The fire was first reported early Sunday afternoon and it quickly grew in hot, windy weather.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. There were reports that the fire may have been started by people shooting a gun at a fuel tank, but that has not been confirmed. Investigators on Monday said it could have been caused by lightning, but they were just speculating.

Elevenmile Canyon including Camp Alexander has been evacuated and will remain closed to all recreation and traffic. Park County has issued a mandatory evacuation for the following:

Wagon Tongue subdivision
Echo Valley Subdivision
Circle C Ranch
Beaver Valley Ranch
Beaver Valley Estates
Homes located on County Rd 98 and 403

Teller County has issued a voluntary evacuation notice for the Wilson Lakes subdivision, Forest Glen subdivision, and Blue Mountain.

An evacuation center has been set up by the Red Cross at the High School in Woodland Park. Evacuees can take large animals to the Fairgrounds in Cripple Creek and small animals can be taken to the Teller County Animal Shelter.

Highways 90, 92 and 96 have been blocked off.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Wildfire Resources section.

- Read recent Wildfire stories.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (High Park Fire and Fourmile Fire) and largest wildfire (Hayman Fire) in Colorado history.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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