UPDATE: Delta County's Squirrel Rock Fire is 50% Contained

A fire burning near Cedaredge is now approximately 50% contained.

Delta County Emergency Management says firefighters hope to have the Squirrel Rock fire 100% contained by the end of the day. Ground efforts have been supported from the air by a helitanker, a helicopter, and two single-engine tankers.

The fire was reported late Thursday afternoon about 5 miles north of Cedaredge near High Park Road and the Squirrel Rock Road area- and had grown to 40 acres by 7:30 Thursday evening.

About 60 firefighters are on the scene of the fire, which is contained entirely on private land. Evacuation orders had been issued in the area on Thursday, but those were lifted at around 10:00 pm and residents on Ward Creek Road north of Uintah Road were allowed to return to their homes.

High Park Road is currently closed at Williams Creek Road in order to allow firefighters access to the area. The public is being asked to avoid the Brimstone Road/High Park Road so fire trucks can access the area. The roads are narrow and officials do not want people parking along the road to watch the fire so as to not interfere with firefighting efforts.