Last of Elephant Butte wildfire evacuations lifted in Evergreen

All of the Evergreen-area residents evacuated by the Elephant Butte fire were allowed to return home Tuesday evening after a cool, soaking rain saturated the area.

The rain fell about 6 pm. and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office lifted the last remaining evacuation orders.

“Thanks to the rain that just soaked the area ALL #elephantbuttefire evacuations will be lifted as of 7pm!” the sheriff’s office said on Twitter.

Earlier in the day, about 80% of the evacuees were allowed to return home at 5 p.m.

The fire started Monday afternoon.

On Tuesday, it remained at about 50 acres in size and was 25% contained, said Mike Taplin, a sheriff’s spokesman.

Sheriff’s deputies will have checkpoints along the reopening areas and only residents will be allowed access, the sheriff’s office said.

Cooler weather on Tuesday, minimal winds, higher humidity and a period of rain on Tuesday helped firefighting efforts, Taplin said.

About 1,000 homes were ordered to be evacuated Monday.

The fire has not damaged any structures, and there have been no injuries reported, officials said.

The fire is in the area of Upper Bear Creek Road and Overlook Trail, according to Evergreen Fire/ Rescue.

Stacee Martin, the department’s assistant chief and spokeswoman, said at a Tuesday morning news conference that it’s burning in a very rocky, steep area — which is why it was so important to get helicopters dropping water on the wildfire.

“Our firefighters are getting in there,” she said. “Boots on the ground makes a difference. But it’s tough going.”

After reaching the upper 90s on Monday, temperatures topped out in the low 80s on Tuesday with more humidity.

That was good news for firefighters, Martin said.

It’s not yet clear what started the fire on Monday.