PARK COUNTY, COLO. -- Mandatory evacuations are underway in Park County as a new wildfire erupted three miles south of Lake George.
More than 100 firefighters are working the wildfire, including crews from Washington State, Montana, and North Dakota.
U.S. Forest Service representatives are focused on life safety because of how quickly the fire is growing.
As of Sunday night, the fire has grown to 300 acres, zero percent contained, and forcing 150-200 homes to evacuate.
"Seeing the fire and smelling the smoke, it was all emotional. I really don't want to lose my cabin," Lynn Linsford, who's home is in the line of fire said.
Crews trying to stay out in front of the flames Sunday but hot, dry, windy conditions were only adding fuel to the fire.
"The winds are giving us a tough time for the management of the fire and pushing it pretty hard down the to the east," Gregg Goodland, fire information officer for the U.S. Forest Service said.
Mandatory evacuations are underway for the five miles radius around the Wagon Tongue subdivision including: Hidden Valley Subdivision, Echo Valley, Circle C, Beaver Ranches, and Park County Roads 403, 98.
Lake George is currently under voluntary evacuations.
"We've done everything we can, got our personal stuff out. At the end of the day, we got good insurance, it's not in our hands anymore," Jim Linsford, who's home is in the line of fire said.
Crews are doing an air attack using helicopters and two heavy airtankers to drop retardant. Air support is focused on high risk areas, which mean property and people.
Investigators are still trying to determine a cause.
The Red Cross is helping those that have been evacuated at Summit Elementary in Divide and Woodland Park High School in Woodland Park.
The U.S. Forest Service says all large animals are being taken to the Cripple Creek fairgrounds.
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