STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Routt County’s sole wildfire, the Middle Fork Fire in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness, is approaching 5,000 acres and was producing noticeable smoke Wednesday morning.

Hazy conditions in Steamboat Springs and around the county are due to the ongoing blaze, along with the wildfires burning along the nation’s West Coast. As warm and sunny weather returns, smoke will continue to be noticeable in the mid- to late afternoon, according to fire officials.

Initially spreading to the east and north, the Middle Fork Fire has begun to slowly back downslope and upwind to the west. A major source of the fire’s fuel is the dead and fallen timber throughout the area.

Firefighters on the scene continue to monitor the situation while clearing fallen trees in the fire’s path and along the roads used by fire crews and the public.

Tree torching continued Tuesday along the fire’s perimeter as it reached 4,807 total acres.

The Type-3 Incident Management Team expects the fire to burn until a persistent seasonal change of weather arrives.

To reach Bryce Martin, call 970-871-4206 or email bmartin@SteamboatPilot.com.

To reach Bryce Martin, call 970-871-4206 or email bmartin@SteamboatPilot.com.