A Pitkin County sheriff's dispatcher says the affected subdivision is called The Wilds. The county issued text and email alerts advising residents to evacuate immediately.

Few details were immediately available. U.S. Forest Service spokesman Steve Segin says early reports are that the fire had scorched about half an acre north of town and officials were ordering the evacuations as a precaution.

Segin says the county has requested federal helicopters and single engine air tankers.

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