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117,240-acre Mullen Fire in Wyoming leads to evacuations in Colorado

Residents in northern Jackson County have been told to evacuate as the Mullen Fire in southern Wyoming approaches the Colorado border.

JACKSON COUNTY, Colorado — Some residents in northern Colorado near the Wyoming border have been ordered to evacuate due to the growing Mullen Fire, which has torched 117,240 acres since it was first reported in the Medicine Bow Mountains west of Laramie on Sept. 17.

The evacuations are for people who live in the area of three-way and north of Highway 125 and Highway 127, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. This is an area north of Walden and the North Park valley.

Highway 125 to Riverside, Wyoming is closed until further notice. Highway 127 to Woods Landing is also closed, as well as Highway 14E, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.  

Evacuations have also been ordered in the areas of Roach and Hohnholz in the northwest part of Larimer County along County Road 103.

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These evacuation areas are northwest of the Cameron Peak Fire, another large blaze leading to smoke throughout the Front Range. 

Smoke from both these fires -- but mainly the Mullen Fire --  was expected to blanket Eastern Colorado Thursday and Friday. 

> Watch the video above for a look at the health impacts of wildfire smoke. 

Credit: Thomas Coseo

The Mullen Fire has also prompted numerous mandatory evacuations in Wyoming. 

The cause of the Mullen Fire is currently not known. Fire crews spent Thursday dropping retardant and working to protect structures in northern Larimer County, according to InciWeb. 

It is burning in what fire managers describe as “extremely rugged terrain with dense vegetation and beetle-killed deadfall.”

High temperatures and gusty winds have increased the size of the fire, and those are in the forecast for the coming days.

More than 900 firefighters have been assigned to help fight the Mullen Fire. 

Click or tap here for the latest updates on the Mullen Fire.

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