BEULAH, Colo. -- Pushed by gusty winds, a fast-moving wildfire forced the voluntary evacuation of a ranching community Sunday as flames roared through tinder-dry fuel in southern Colorado.

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The 8,000-acre Mason Fire -- which quadrupled in size in 24 hours -- was threatening 750 houses, outbuildings and other structures in the Beulah Valley, homes to about 1,160 people 150 miles south of Denver.

It was unclear how many people decided to leave. Cars and trucks packed with clothes, food and personal belongings were parked along a stretch of rural highway as evacuated residents watched black smoke rise from the hillside and flames arch 150 feet into the sky.

"Three years ago during the drought, I pretty much made peace with the fact that we could lose it all," said Dave Van Manen, referring to devastating wildfires that engulfed parts of Colorado in 2002.

Spending his 29th wedding anniversary standing on the asphalt of Colorado Highway 78, his car stuffed with business files and other items, Van Manen said he was fully aware he could lose his house and office.

The fire had already forced the evacuation of 150 homes in surrounding areas.

The lightning-sparked fire in the Wet Mountains was feeding on acres of ponderosa pine and gambel oak, some of the most flammable wood in the West.

The fire generated so much smoke at one point that aircraft weren't able to get close enough to drop retardant on its center.

"The fire has got the advantage right now," fire commander Marc Mullenix said.

No injuries were reported and no homes had burned Sunday.

Meanwhile, evacuated residents on the west side of the fire were given four hours to visit their houses.

In the Greenwood area, on the northwest side of the fire, Sam Smith, 72, worked down a checklist of things he wanted to do at his house: grab his wife's billfold, close the windows, get clean socks, water the flowers and check the refrigerator.

"I am not worried about the house. It's insured," he said. "I built that house. I can build another."

On the east side of the fire, Bill Everhart was waiting for his brother to get home to his ranch. Everhart said he felt like the ranch was safe because there weren't any trees near buildings.

"The fire won't have anything to do when it gets here," he said.

Mullenix had sent scouts to steep terrain to figure out the best way to stop the fire. "There is no safe way to get firefighters in there at all," Mullenix said. "So groups are scouting to see where can we connect the dots."

More than 330 firefighters were working to contain the blaze aided by four helicopters, five single-engine air tankers and 27 engines. The U.S. Forest Service is providing updates on a special Web page dealing with the Marson Fire.