DENVER (KDVR) — Gov. Jared Polis signed an executive order on Thursday declaring a disaster emergency in Colorado amid critical fire weather that is fueling multiple fires burning more than 180,000 acres across the state.

Polis’ office said there are currently 2,395 personnel assigned to nine large fires, which have burned more than 185,000 acres. There are currently a total of 24 uncontained fires across Colorado.

Among the largest is the Lee Fire, now the fifth biggest wildfire in Colorado history, which is still mostly uncontained and grew more overnight from Wednesday to Thursday to 127,107 acres. The much smaller nearby Elk Fire is 75% contained with 14,521 acres burned.

The order also would further support the state’s early attack on new fire starts.

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