DENVER -- Lightning on Sunday caused several fires and fueled more growing concern about the state's dry conditions and the summer wildfire season.

One fire near Pine burned about three acres and another in Jefferson County near Buffalo Creek was kept to a half-acre. The storms moved pretty quickly, causing concern for officials at Cherry Creek State Park. They evacuated the western portion of the park because of a 20-acre fire.

Viewer Joe Holtzer said that that the lightning struck at 6:45 p.m., igniting the dry prairie grass. He said flames were visible about 10 minutes after the lightning strike and appeared to spread to 10 acres rather rapidly. Firefighters quickly responded and about an hour later, firefighters had the blaze completely out, thanks also to some rain.

Lightning also started the Ralston Creek Fire in Jefferson County's White Ranch Park Friday. The blaze grew to 30 acres before crews had it fully contained. The fire came within three-quarters of a mile of the nearest home. Winds kept shifting, making it difficult to contain.

"And we always fight that kind of issue anytime we're in a mountainous area with wind, because the valleys dictate how that wind goes," said Jim Shires with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.

The fire came close to plenty of wildlife too.

"Immediately east of this fire is a wildlife habitat area. There's a raptor nesting area, some bear habitat as well as mountain lion habitat in that area, that we're trying our best to preserve and protect," Shires said.

No evacuations were required. About 40 firefighters will be back out there Monday mopping things up.

Dry, Hot Conditions Remain All Week

Just about all of Colorado is considered at "very high" fire danger Monday. The Western Slope is in "extreme" fire danger.

And unfortunately, the forecast isn't very bright for firefighters who'll be on the battle lines this week.

"We're getting a dry wind coming in from the southwest today -- there's just not that much moisture out there. Plus, we have a chance for gusty, dry thunderstorms, producing lightning again, that we had yesterday, and that could spark these wildfires, especially on the Western Slope," said 24/7 Meteorologist Scott Mace.

A red flag warning is in effect for Western Colorado, the mountains and the foothills.

"It feels like fire weather and that's exactly what we have," Mace said.

Fires Around The State

Meanwhile, crews are working to protect dozens of homes in southern Colorado.

The homes are located near the New Mexico border on La Veta Pass, between the towns of Fort Garland and Walsenburg in Costilla County. Officials shut down lanes on Highway 160 Monday morning while crews worked to gain control of the wildfire.

Officials estimate the fire has grown to be about 800 acres. Hundreds of residents have been urged to evacuate but the evacuation is still voluntary.

The blaze was first reported about 11:30 Sunday morning, but officials say no homes are threatened and no injuries have been reported. About 150 firefighters will be at the scene Monday.

Residents of the Forbes Wagon Creek Ranch and Forbes Park, which has 246 homes, are on standby.

The cause of the fire, named the Malovega Creek Fire, is not yet known.

The Red Cross opened a shelter at the Blanca/Fort Garland Community Center a mile west of Fort Garland, but it's being used by firefighters. Red Cross volunteer Bob Wallace says it also could be used for evacuees, should there be mandatory evacuations.