A grew to more than 100 acres in size Monday, forcing evacuations in the Crystal Lake area of Larimer County.
The Pearl fire has burned an estimated 138 acres with zero containment as of 3:50 p.m., .
The fire is human-caused and started on private property approximately 5 miles northwest of Red Feather Lakes, sheriff’s officials said late Monday night. The fire is still under investigation.
Approximately 75 firefighters, three air tankers and three helicopters responded to the fire Monday and more have been ordered, sheriff’s officials said.
The fire was reported just after 11 a.m. and the first evacuation orders for Crystal Lakes, south of Black Mountain and north of Lake Erie were sent out at 11:55 a.m. At 12:45 p.m., the sheriff’s office extended the evacuation order to include residents in the area of county roads 86 and 170.
And at 1:20 p.m., authorities changed evacuations from voluntary to mandatory for Crystal Lakes residents north of Black Mountain to the Wyoming state line.
More than 2,000 contacts are under evacuation orders, sheriff’s officials said Monday night. Residents in the area of Lake Erie and Mitchell Ditch should also prepare to evacuate.
An evacuation center was established at Livermore Community Hall, 2044 W. County Road 74E. Sheriff’s officials said an overnight shelter would open at Cache La Poudre Middle School, 3515 County Road 54G in Laporte, at 6:30 p.m.
Residents can text LCEVAC to 888777 for updates or go to for a .
