UPDATE: The evacuation order has been lifted. Read our original story below.
CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, Colo. – An evacuation order has been issued due to a wildfire burning in Dumont.
Jeffcom911, which provides dispatch services for police, fire and medical agencies, said on social media the order was issued ‘due to a Wildland Fire for Western Inn Trailer Court near Lawson/Dumont.’
Video shared with Denver7 from viewer Kristen Obaugh showed fire along I-70 near mile marker 233. According to CDOT, I-70 remains open in both directions but traffic is slowed in the interstate.
There are two fires reported in the area.
Jeffcom911 said Foothills and Genesse Fire were working a separate fire near I-70 and mile marker 256. That fire, separate from the Clear Creek County fire is contained.
The Western Inn Fire was reported between Lawson and Empire in the 2600 block of CR-308, according to the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office on social media.
As of 4:15 p.m., Highway 40 (mile marker 232) at I-70 is closed. The sheriff's office said an alternate route for motorists out of Empire and Winter Park is to take westbound I-70 and turn around at Georgetown then return to the Hwy 40 exit from the east.
A Lookout Alert was issued to people who need to evacuate, said Clear Creek County. As of 3:50 p.m., the fire was reported on a ridge and a helicopter was performing a water dump on the fire, according to Clear Creek County.
A fixed-wing plane was also dropping fire retardant and there are around 20 firefighters working the scene, said the sheriff's office.
The Lookout Alert was sent to 96 contacts, the Clear Creek County Sheriff's office said on Facebook.
CR-308 is closed and Stanley Road, which is south of I-70, is open.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.
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