High winds spread fire hundreds of acres near Simla

SIMLA, Colo. (KKTV) - Crews were still on scene Friday monitoring hotspots left over after a wildfire that caused the entire town of Simla to evacuate on Thursday. According to fire officials, that fire is now 100% contained.

The fire spread a total of 853 acres, and a small out building was lost, but no houses or occupied buildings were impacted, according to officials. At their count, about 500 people were evacuated.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

PREVIOUS: A wildfire that caused an entire Colorado town to evacuate is now almost entirely contained. The evacuation order for Simla in Elbert County has been lifted.

The fire started around four in the afternoon. The crews out there worked hard to keep the fire from going north toward the town. 11 News was told there were around 30 units and approximately 75 firefighters were on the scene to contain the fire.

“The problem is that these winds are so strong and the embers that are flying ahead of it,” Elizabeth Fire District PIO Kara Gerczynski said.

Crews were able to contain the fire just a few hours after it started and no structures were lost.

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