Editor’s note: This story was last updated at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, July 13.

A wildfire south of Stagecoach Reservoir in Routt County called the Green Ridge Fire is holding at 44 acres as of 3 p.m. Monday and is 27% contained, according to a Monday afternoon news release from Routt County Communications.

“Activity remains primarily smoldering with isolated torching,” wrote officials, who added that around 100 personnel are assigned to the fire, including local, state, federal and contracted firefighting resources.

“A Type 1 helicopter remains assigned to the incident and is focused on suppression efforts along the eastern flank near County Road 16,” county officials added.

The fire has prompted evacuation orders for zones OC-528 and OC-536, as well as pre-evacuation orders for zones OC-521, OC-528, OC-529, OC-531, OC-532 and OC-536. Those orders remain unchanged as of Monday afternoon.

The release states that as of 2 p.m. Monday, no structures have been damaged or destroyed due to the fire, which Routt County Emergency Operations Director David DeMorat said started on private land. He also said the cause of the fire is unknown and will be investigated by the Routt County Sheriff’s Office.

Residents in zones OC-528 and OC-536 are advised to leave immediately and not delay by packing belongings or preparing their homes.

Zones OC-522 and OC-523, which were previously under evacuation orders, had returned to pre-evacuation status as of approximately 6:30 p.m. Sunday, according to county officials.

An evacuation center was available at Soroco High School (305 Grant Ave.) in Oak Creek until 8 p.m. on Sunday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday.

The center includes ample space for campers and vehicles and is primarily available for information and temporary necessities. It is not currently an overnight shelter.

People with pets should contact the Routt County Humane Society at 970-879-7247 for sheltering assistance if needed, as animals are not allowed at the Soroco High School center.

“We are evaluating the need for the evacuation center and will post hours for Tuesday and beyond if we determine there is a need,” wrote officials in the Monday afternoon release.

Residents with questions can contact the Routt County Office of Emergency Management Call Center at 970-871-8444 or email info@co.routt.co.us.

This fire threatens roughly 480 structures within three miles and has 20 homes under mandatory evacuation, according to a statement from the office of Gov. Jared Polis sent just after 7:15 p.m. Sunday evening.

The news release also noted the governor issued a verbal disaster declaration for the wildfire, which “activates the State Emergency Operations Plan and directs the Department of Public Safety and its Divisions of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) to take responsibility for all response, recovery, and mitigation efforts on the Green Ridge Fire.”

Routt County officials remind residents who are evacuating to consider the following:

• Essentials: Medications, important documents (i.e. IDs, insurance information, birth certificates), contact lists, a first-aid kit, flashlight, battery-powered radio and extra batteries. 
• Clothing and personal items: Include a change of clothes, sturdy shoes and personal hygiene items. 
• Food and water: Pack non-perishable food and water for a few days. 
• Pet supplies: If you have pets, pack food, water, carriers, leashes and any necessary medications. 
• Valuables: Include essential valuables like credit cards, cash and irreplaceable items like family photos. 
• If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water and disconnect appliances.

Residents in pre-evacuation zones are encouraged to pack their car, keep a full gas tank and orient their vehicle in the direction of leaving. Residents are also encouraged to stay vigilant of their surroundings and stay up-to-date with official information sources as conditions change.

Routt County Sheriff Doug Scherar told the newspaper Sunday evening that the U.S. Forest Service, Oak Creek Fire Protection District, Yampa Fire Protection District, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control and “multiple air assets” are responding to the fire.

Fire officials will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as new information becomes available, said Routt County officials. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is scheduled to assume command of the fire at 6:00 p.m. Monday to support ongoing operations.

The Green Ridge Fire is the second wildfire to start in Routt County on Sunday afternoon, accompanying the 8-acre Fishhook Fire four miles southeast of Mount Werner off Rabbit Ears Pass. The Fishhook Fire has not yet prompted pre-evacuation or evacuation orders.

Roads near the Stagecoach area should be used for those evacuating and emergency responders only, said Routt County officials. Members of the public not in those categories are asked to avoid traveling near the incident so as not to impede traffic.

DeMorat advised residents to check sources with the county for immediate up-to-date information.

To view evacuation zones in Routt County, visit tinyurl.com/4bss4p3k.

To sign up for Routt County Alerts, visit tinyurl.com/knacnepd.