The Moffat County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday afternoon issued pre-evacuation orders for some parts in the northwest Colorado city of Craig, due to a wildfire that grew in the area.

The fire, dubbed as the “1104 Fire,” began in the 700 block of E. 13th Street. At around 1:30, reports initially came into the 700 block of possible structure fire in Craig, according to a sheriff’s office spokesperson.

Shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday, the sheriff’s office announced on Facebook mandatory evacuations for anyone living from 13th Street to 9th Street, officials said.

All evacuation orders were lifted at 4:45 p.m. Authorities ask nearby residents to stay out of the area.

“If you are in the area of the fire you need to leave now,” sheriff’s office officials said. “You are blocking emergency response and putting life and property at risk!”

The fire then spread as a wildland fire in grass areas, before additional resources in the area showed up. Air and ground assets are continually working on the fire Sunday afternoon

“Mandatory evacuations were placed as the fire threatened multiple homes,” the spokesperson said.

At 4 p.m., the sheriff’s office moved to pre-evacuation orders for areas previously under mandatory notice.

“We cannot stress enough to stay away from the area of the fire, and follow directions of emergency personnel,” officials said.

A pre-evacuation north was also in place for those residing north of E. 9th Street from Bryan Way to Haughey Road, according to authorities.

“Start gathering essentials and be ready to evacuate,” sheriff’s office officials said.

Those that were under mandatory evacuation are allowed to return home, the Moffat County sheriff’s spokesperson said, adding to maintain caution.

A firefighter was transported to the hospital for further evaluation, according to officials.

The spokesperson said the size and cause of the 1104 Fire remains unknown.

Meanwhile, over 100,000 acres has burned due to wildfires southwest of Craig around Meeker, with little containment and continues to grow.

The Lee fire southwest of Meeker in Rio Blanco County has become the sixth largest wildfire in Colorado history, eclipsing the 2012 High Park fire, which burned 87,284 acres west of Fort Collins.

The fire grew from over 88,000 acres to over 92,000 acres throughout the day on Saturday, with no containment, state fire officials said.

By Sunday morning, the fire had burned 106,672 acres, however, some progress had been made and the fire was at 6% containment, according to state fire officials and federal fire maps. 

Closer to Craig, the “Twelve Fire” has burned over 4,200 acres 18 miles west of Maybell in Moffat County.