A structure fire that got out of control near Pagosa Springs forced evacuations and prompted a disaster declaration from Gov. Jared Polis.

The blaze, called the Oak fire, had burned 75 acres as of Monday morning, according to incident officials. On Sunday, Polis declared a disaster emergency to support response efforts in Archuleta County in the southwestern part of the state. Polis also authorized the use of the National Guard to bolster firefighting efforts if necessary.

The Oak fire is burning in the Elk Park/Ironwood subdivision west of Pagosa Springs and north of Colorado 160, officials said. The blaze quickly grew out of control, exceeding local firefighting capacity and leading the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office to request state assistance.

The declaration allows the state to

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