Evacuation orders are being lifted in the Sand Gulch fire near Wetmore.
Fire information officer Allyn Herrington said the fire, which burned more than 560 acres, was 20 percent contained.
Colorado Highway 96, which had been closed since Friday, has been reopened. People will be allowed to return to their homes after 8 p.m.
The Sand Gulch wildfire had spread quickly from about 25 acres in steep terrain near Wetmore to more than 550 acres Friday and overnight.
Between 35 and 40 homes and cabins were evacuated Friday afternoon after strong winds pushed the wildfire east, said Ralph Bellah, spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service.
Lightning ignited the blaze in high timber country of the San Isabel National Forest on Tuesday about 5 miles from Wetmore on Colorado 96, Bellah said.
The fire covered only between 10 and 25 acres Friday afternoon and was largely under control until heavy winds picked up.
“The fire made a run yesterday,” Bellah said. “High winds made it difficult to fight.”
Two helicopters and three teams of hotshot fire crews battled the fire Saturday, he said.
The helicopters dropped 1,000-gallon loads on the perimeter of the fire, which engulfed Ponderosa pines and oak brush, he said.
Cooler conditions helped firefighters Saturday and higher humidity and possible snow were expected to further aid them Saturday night.
Wetmore is about 25 miles south of Canon City.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
