LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — Some mandatory evacuations for the Elk Fire near Red Feather Lakes were lifted Thursday, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said.

The fire, which started as a prescribed burn that grew out of control on Wednesday afternoon, was at 622 acres and 80% containment as of 6 p.m. Thursday.

The prescribed burn was at 472 acres and the wildfire was at 150 acres.

Voluntary and mandatory evacuation orders from Glacier View Gate 12 eastward to Gate 1 were lifted at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Gate 13 and North Rim Road will remain under a mandatory evacuation order until 8 a.m. Friday, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said.

One shed has been damaged and about 50 homes remain threatened by the fire. No injuries have been reported.

A shelter is open at Livermore Community Church. Any residents who need extra assistance with evacuating, including small and large animals, should call 970-498-5500.

“I’m 80 years old and I’m too old to start over,” evacuee Walt Glorius said. “People say your life is more important. Of course it is. But I have a lot of memories. I love my home. I’m happy here. This is paradise. if I lost it, i might as well die.

“My wife and I are devastated.”

There are 125 homes remain without power in the evacuation area, officials said.

Officials said 120 firefighters were on the ground on Thursday with 60 more en route. Air operations resumed at daylight.

Officials said there are no major road closures in the area.

The prescribed burn was part of the Elkhorn Creek Forest Health Initiative. Controlled burns have happened in the area before. It was scheduled to take place between Tuesday and Friday.