PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. -- The Beulah Hill Fire has grown to more than 5,000 acres, according to officials in Southern Colorado.
That announcement came during an afternoon news conference on Tuesday, hours after the fire was pegged at 4,800 acres around noon Tuesday.
Officials said the fire is growing in all directions because of windy weather.
There are 400 people working the fire, along with two helicopters.
The town of Beulah in Pueblo County remains evacuated. About 1,950 total residents of the area have evacuated so far.
No injuries have been reported so far, but at least eight homes have been lost, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.
"This fire is on both sides of the valley and if either flank moves toward the valley, we may lose lives," Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk Taylor said explaining the reason for the evacuations.
The mandatory evacuation area includes the Hurricane Ranch area, North Creek Road, Pine drive, Mountain Shadows Mobile Home Park, 3R and Signal Mountain, Pine Drive, North Signal Mountain, Extended North Creek, Oldham Road and Buelah proper, according to the Pueblo County Emergency services website.
Here is the last evacuation map for the #beulahhillfire pic.twitter.com/W4Vogdc5au
— PuebloCounty Sheriff (@PuebloCountySO) October 4, 2016
The Waterbarrel Estates is on a pre-evacation notice.
Tuesday, officials said residents are only being allowed into the area by way of Highway 78 and Waterbarrel Road to Siloam Road to move livestock.
Shelters have been set up at Roncalli STEM Academy and the Colorado State Fair Events Center.
The U.S. Postal Service said there will be no mail delivery in Beulah Tuesday due to road closures and emergency evacuations. All Beulah Mail is being held and is available at Pueblo Sunset Station at 3000 Wedgewood Dr.
Residents wanting to pick up mail need to bring identification.
For the latest updates on the Beulah Hill Fire, visit the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office Twitter page.
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