Bluebell Fire Near Evergreen Still Burning On 15 Acres, Zero Percent Contained

A wildfire that broke out in the foothills near Evergreen, Colo. on Monday has grown to 15 acres and was zero percent contained as of Tuesday morning. However, cooler weather and water drops via helicopter are expected to help the firefighters gain some ground on Tuesday.

In a Tuesday morning press conference, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office described that the Bluebell Fire is "laying down" this morning, but the area is still smoldering and "heavily covered with smoke" which indicates that the heavy fuels are continuing to burn and that there is a still a large amount of heat within the fire perimeter.

While most residents were allowed to return Monday night, mandatory evacuation orders remain in place for residents who live north of Hemlock Lane off of Brock Forest Drive. About 140 people were still evacuated as of Tuesday morning, KDVR reported.

Firefighters have dug a "simple containment line" around the fire, but reminded the public that this is not a control line and that the fire is still active within the perimeter.

Due to the heavy fuels still present and smoldering, JeffCo Sheriff's Office says that smoke will likely be seen for a week even as containment and control continues to progress.

Approximately 100 firefighters are currently battling the blaze and did so through the night on Monday. Temperatures are expected to be cooler on Tuesday and there is a chance of rain, both of which could assit the firefighters, but there are possible winds and lightning forecast in the region as well.

The fire began Monday afternoon and threatened 100 homes and had spread to 15 acres by Monday night. No structures have been lost.

JeffCo Sheriff's Office is working with Evergreen Fire Rescue in the investigation into the origin of the fire, but expect it to take a few days to determine cause and origin.