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From the Denver7 news desk: Breaking and developing news on March 4, 2018

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This is the Denver7 breaking and developing news blog. Throughout the day, this story will be updated with both minor and large breaking news events that our readers care about. Check back as we continue to update this story. 

7:20 p.m.: Personnel evacuated due to a wildfire near Gate 5 and the Navajo Village housing area in Fort Carson is cleared to return to their homes and barracks, a Fort Carson spokesperson said in a press release. The Fort Carson Special Events Center continues to be available to evacuees until they can safely return to their homes.

5:56 p.m.: Evacuations have been lifted and people and animals are safe to go back home following the Forest Ridge Fire in Elbert County, 

4:34 p.m.: Evacuees from locations East of County Road 49 and north of County Road 118 can return to their homes, the Elbert County Sheriff's Office says. They ask that residents have an ID for when they return. 

3:33 p.m.: Forest Ridge Fire in Elbert County now 90 percent contained, per the sheriff's office. Firefighters to remain the area to avoid flare-ups. Evacuation area still in effect from CR 45 to CR 49, from CR 118 to CR 110. Closure expected until at least this evening. The area to the south of CR 110 is still under pre-evacuation orders. 

3:30 p.m.: All lanes of EB I-70 at I-25 have been reopened following a deadly crash earlier this morning, per the Denver Police Department. A driver has been arrested and is being held on investigation of vehicular homicide.

2:46 p.m.: A brush fire near Gate 5 and the Navajo Village housing area in Fort Carson has forced evacuations of the Navajo Village Housing area, the Warrior Transition Battalion and the 10th Special Forces Complex, a spokesperson for the base said Sunday. No structures or personnel are threated because of the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

2:43 p.m.: The Forest Ridge Fire in Elbert County is now 80 percent contained, per the sheriff's office. Read a re-cap of this fire here: http://bit.ly/2FazNIn.

2:34 p.m: The Elbert County Sheriff's Office says a Code Red alert has been lifted for residents north of CR 118 and east of CR 49. 

1:55 p.m.: The Elbert County Sheriff's Office says it does not need donations from the community at this time. 

1:41 p.m.: Smoke from a grass fire at Fort Carson is visible atop Pikes Peak, according to the National Weather Service in Pueblo. 

1:26 p.m.: A driver has been arrested by Denver police following a deadly crash on EB I-70 and I-25 earlier this morning. He is being held on investigation of vehicular homicide. The highway remains closed for road clean-up. 

1:15 p.m.: The Elbert County Fairgrounds are now open for the evacuation of people and animals, per a spokesperson with the Elbert County Sheriff's Office. 

1:03 p.m.: Three homes and four barns have been lost due to the Forest Ridge Fire burning southeast of Kiowa in Elbert County, the sheriff's office says. In latest press release, officials say:

  • Forest Ridge Fire is 350-acres in size; 60 percent contained
  • No reported loss of life or livestock
  • Mandatory evacuations for: Residences between Maul Road and west of County Road 45, and between County Road 118 and County Road 110. 
  • Pre-evacuations for: Residences between County Road 41 and Maul Road, and south of County Road 110 to County Road 102.
  • Evacuation locations: Residents with livestock can evacuate their animals to the Elbert County Fairgrounds at this time. Additional evacuation locations are in progress.
  • Fire movement: The fire currently appears to be moving east from the origination point, and crews are dealing with 25-35 mph winds as well.

12:50 p.m.: The Forest Ridge Fire has grown to 343-acres and is 30 percent contained, per the Elizabeth Fire Protection District. Three structures are involved. We are livestreaming the scene in the player below:

12:25 p.m.: Several homes and outbuildings "have been lost" in the Forest Ridge Fire burning southeast of Kiowa in Elbert County, the Franktown Fire Department reported on Twitter. There is also a three-mile evacuation from North and East of 28760 CR 45.

12:12 p.m.: An Air Quality Health Advisory is in effect for Kiowa until 4 p.m. due to smoke from the Forest Ridge Fire burning southeast of Kiowa in Elbert County. 

12:08 p.m.: A large wild fire burning southeast of Kiowa is growing due to high winds and dry conditions. Evacuations mandatory south of CR 118 to CR 102; pre-evacuations north of CR 118. Code Red has been sent out, according to the Elbert County Sheriff's Office. 

11:28 a.m.: South Metro Fire Rescue is sending nine units to fight a wildland fire in Kiowa (Elbert County). 

11:27 a.m.: Castle Rock Firefighters are sending units to assist in the wildland fire burning in Elbert County. 

11:25 a.m.: Parker Police has sent out "some resources" to assist in the wildliand fire in Kiowa. 

10:37 a.m.: Elbert County Fire Districts are responding to a large wildland fire in Kiowa. Smoke is visible from Arapahoe and Douglas County. 

9:19 a.m.: The National Weather Service in Boulder says its Red Flag Warning in Boulder County for Sunday and a Fire Weather Watch for Monday, per the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. No open burning is allowed in Boulder County effective immediately and expiring at 11:59 p.m. on Monday. 

7:56 a.m.: A Red Flag Warning has been issued today for all of northeast Colorado, the National Weather Service in Boulder says. Avoid open burns, tossing cigarette butts, & activities that create sparks.

6:02 a.m.: Eastbound I-70 was shut down for at I-25 due to fatal crash involving a semi-truck and another vehicle. The semi-truck reportedly caught on fire, per Denver police. Police hoped to get the highway reopened by 2 p.m.

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