Highway 285 in Jefferson County, previously closed due to the Twin Forks fire, has been reopened while firefighters continue to battle the blaze.

Residents living along South Turkey Creek Road in Jefferson County, Colorado had to evacuate their homes due to a raging wildfire that erupted and caused the closure of U.S. 285 in both directions for several hours on a Sunday afternoon.

According to the Bureau of Land Management's fire information dashboard, the Twin Forks fire was first reported at 1:57 p.m. The blaze had already consumed 6 acres of land by 3:43 p.m. and required the efforts of 40 firefighters, 12 engines, and two helicopters to combat it.

The fire, which is believed to have started in the grass, shrubs, and trees on the south side of U.S. 285 and North Turkey Creek Road, posed a significant threat to the area. As a precaution, five homes along South Turkey Creek Road were evacuated, although the authorities clarified that they were not actively defending any structures at the time.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Mark Techmeyer reassured the public that firefighters were making good progress in containing the fire and did not anticipate any further evacuations. By 4 p.m., the Colorado Department of Transportation announced that U.S. 285 had been reopened.

The wildfire, which was estimated to be 3 acres in size when it was first reported, quickly grew in size and intensity, prompting the closure of the highway for fire suppression efforts. Footage from the scene showed two helicopters and multiple ground crews working tirelessly to contain the blaze and protect nearby residents.

The Jeffco Sheriff's Office took to Twitter to provide updates on the situation, also sharing a video of the fire that showed the extent of its reach. The post urged residents to evacuate immediately if they were in the affected area, emphasizing the importance of safety in such a dangerous situation.

As of now, the fire is still ongoing, and the authorities are advising residents to stay tuned for further updates. In the meantime, motorists are urged to exercise caution while driving in the area and to follow any instructions given by the emergency services. This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

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