CANON CITY, Colo. -- A wildfire, estimated at between 6,000 and 8,000 acres by federal officials, was raging out of control overnight Sunday in Freemont County. It was just one of many burning in the state.

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Twelve to 15 structures had already burned in the fire, and dozens more were threatened, according to the Bureau Of Land Management. A number of those structures were homes in the Deer Mountain area, BLM spokeswoman Barb Masinton told 7NEWS Sunday night.

Dubbed the Iron Mountain Fire, the fire exploded southwest of Royal Gorge Bridge, forcing evacuations in Cody Park and Colorado Acres subdivisions Sunday afternoon, then Deer Mountain and Temple Canon Road subdivisions Sunday evening.

The fire was reported to have started one mile north of the Custer County line, 12 to 15 miles south of Canon City and quickly moved north and east.

Thick smoke and the threat of the fire spreading also forced the evacuation of nearby Royal Gorge Park, site of the world's highest suspension bridge.

"The smoke burns your eyes and chokes you," said Jean Adams, the park's director of merchandise. "I mean, you can feel it in your lungs if you're outside."

The Red Cross opened shelters at Westcliff, Silver Cliff and Cotopaxi schools. Red Cross spokeswoman Pat Donley said volunteers were told to prepare for up to 1,000 people.

Ashes from the fire were dropping on Canon City, Colo.

Fire units from nearby communities were called in the help the forest service as high winds caused the fire to grow rapidly, from less than 200 acres Sunday afternoon to as much as 8,000 acres by 10 p.m. The fire was burning in mostly juniper and dry grass, according to 7NEWS.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation, but there were reports it may have started from an overturned camping stove.

Five air tankers and a helicopter were on scene and three 20-person crews were expected, Masinton said. The fire continued to move quickly to the north and northeast, she said during a 10 p.m., interview on 7NEWS.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a request from Gov. Bill Owens to pay 75 percent of the firefighting costs, spokesman Ed Conley said.

Other Fires Near Trinidad

A fire southeast of Trinidad, Colo., near Fisher Peak burned more than 3,200 acres by Sunday evening, forcing the evacuation of eight ranches and destroying at least one home, according to authorities.

Several county roads were closed and the fire threatened some livestock, Las Animas undersheriff Jess Gibson said. The fire started Saturday night during a lightning storm.

Another fire near Tercio, Colo., in western Las Animas County burned about 6,000 acres by Sunday evening. No one had been evacuated, but some structures were threatened, according to officials.

Other Fires Contained

Fires burning on private land in Cheyenne, El Paso, Pueblo, Lincoln and Las Animas counties were contained Sunday, U.S. Forest Service spokesman Pete Davis said.

In northeastern Colorado, several blazes ignited by lightning Saturday were contained by Sunday. A 12,000-acre fire between Brush in Morgan County and Akron in Washington County was also contained.

Watch for updates on 7NEWS.