Smoke spreads at the base of Grizzly Butte July 2 as a wildfire spread. Photo courtesy of JCSO.

A wildfire kicked up near noon Wednesday, July 2 near Ramms Road off U.S. Highway 26 in southern Jefferson County. It quickly spread to 50 acres then grew to nearly to 230 acres by 5 p.m.

According to officials, interagency firefighters attacked the blaze with seven engines, four airtankers, two helicopters, one dozer and more resources were en route. A line of retardant was dropped between the fire’s edge and the north slope of the butte, which is thickly treed.

The fire was contained and essentially put down that evening, due to the fast, effective fire fighting effort. Reported Friday, July 3, the blaze was contained to approximately 500 acres.

Though no cause was immediately announced, there was lightning in the area the evening prior.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page, evacuation notices were issued soon after the fire was detected. Section 16 was in a level 3 (Go Now), Section 20 was in level 2 (Get Set) and Section 15 in level one (Get Ready).