PARK COUNTY, Colo. — The acreage of the Weston Pass Fire in central Colorado remained at 13,023 as of Saturday evening.
Containment has increased to 93 percent.
Highway 285 had been closed in both directions between Antero Junction and Fairplay until Saturday afternoon. It has reopened with a slower speed limit of 50 mph.
The fire is burning about nine miles southwest of Fairplay in the Buffalo Peaks wilderness area.
There are 597 people fighting the fire, which began June 28. Authorities believe it was caused by lightning.
A mandatory evacuation was issued for people who live in the immediate vicinity of the fire south of County Road 22, including that portion of Black Mountain and Campground of the Rockies.
Residents in the Black Mountain north of County Road 22 and Thousand Peaks subdivisions are encouraged to be prepared to leave quickly if necessary, according to Park County officials.
The Fairplay Community Center and Fairgrounds are available for evacuees.
A Type 1 Incident Management Team assumed control of firefighting operations on July 1. The team is also managing the High Chateau Fire in neighboring Teller County, according to the Park County Sheriff’s Office.