The Pine Ridge Fire burning near De Beque has grown from 20 acres to 700 Wednesday.

Officials say the fire burning in the Book Cliffs southwest of De Beque was sparked by lightning around 2:00 pm in a very remote area.

"Our crews prepare for the worst," Chris Joyner with the BLM said. "95 percent of this fire is active. It's spreading rapidly with the head of the fire having spotting occurring in front of the fire."

Officials weren't initially concerned about it threatening any homes or structures but are now. They say seven structures are closest to the flames.

The fire jumped V.2 Road Wednesday afternoon and reverse 911 calls went out evacuating the Mustang Ranch subdivision. Sheriff's deputies say that area is largely unoccupied and mostly features dirt lots and campers.

As of 9:00 pm, those evacuations had been lifted.

"With the way the winds are blowing, it's definitely scary," De Beque resident Randy Schwartz said. "I'm wondering if we should just pack up and head out."

At this point, fire crews say there is no immediate threat to the town of De Beque.

"Hopefully it doesn't get to that point, but we have no evacuation plans yet," Griselda Landeros said.

BLM crews are responding with seven engines, three large helicopters, one Canadian air-tanker and several firefighters on the ground.

"This is the perfect example of why we don't send all of our assets somewhere else," Joyner said of the local response on fires across the state.

Going into Thursday, fire crews expect dry, hot, and windy conditions to continue allowing the fire spread quickly once again. BLM fire crews say a Type 3 incident command team will take over management of the fire on Thursday, as well.

We'll deliver the most current details as soon as they become available. Continue to follow KJCT News 8 on air and online.