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 150 acres as of Monday afternoon, 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.

On Monday afternoon, FEMA authorized a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant to aid with firefighting costs.

The federal disaster agency approved the state's request for the grant after determining that the Oak fire's rapid spread, and proximity to 5,100 buildings and 2,000 homes, "threatened such destruction th

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