LOVELAND, Colo. --
A large wildfire is burning west of Masonville in Larimer County.
The fire was estimated at 52 acres at 3:45 p.m., on Tuesday. There are high winds in the area. Reported gusts of approximately 60 mph are contributing to the spread of the fire. A Red Flag Warning is currently in effect for the area. That means weather conditions are ripe for the rapid spread of fire.
Firefighters and wildland crews from Loveland Fire and Rescue, Poudre Fire Authority, Big Thompson Canyon Fire Protection District, Larimer County Sheriffs Emergency Services, Berthoud Fire Protection District, and the Forest Service are currently responding to this incident.
The wildfire is burning in the area of Green Ridge, possibly in the vicinity of the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Smoke could be seen from Loveland.
Firefighters are staging at the Bobcat Ridge parking lot. Visitors were asked to evacuate.
Firefighters left the fire unattended for the night and will reassess the situation Wednesday morning, after daylight.
Larimer County's emergency information line at 970-498-5500 is providing updates, a well as the Larimer County Web site.
There have been no reports of any structures being damaged or threatened by the fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and is under investigation.
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