The Crosho Fire, west of Phippsburg and Yampa, spread to over 1,700 acres, according to a Wednesday afternoon update from Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue.

The fire more than tripled in size since Wednesday morning, when it was reported to have covered about 500 acres. Due to hot, dry and gusty weather conditions, fire activity remained high throughout Wednesday.

The four zones initially established in the area of the fire were also divided into 10 separate zones, with Phippsburg now in Zone 10 and Yampa in Zone 6.

Zones 3 and 4 were issued “Go” evacuation orders around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Zones 2, 5, 7 , 8 and 9 were also issued “Set” pre-evacuation orders. Three additional zones were created south of the fire. Zones 11, 12 and 13 were issued “Ready” pre-evacuation orders around 1:15 p.m.

To view the evacuation zones, visit TinyUrl.com/3p5b6rjw.

According to a Wednesday morning statement from the town of Oak Creek, the fire crossed county lines from Rio Blanco County to Routt County overnight, burning on private land. Nearby landowners were contacted and made plans to evacuate livestock if needed.

Fire crews focused on structure protection and aerial suppression throughout Tuesday. Nearly 200 fire personnel — including firefighters from the Forest Service, Steamboat Springs, Oak Creek and Yampa — will continue to fight the fire on Wednesday.

According to InciWeb, the effort also included four water scoopers, two Sky Hammer Type 1 helitankers, two C-130s, airtankers (LAT and LATs) and one additional helitanker throughout Tuesday and Wednesday.

As of Tuesday evening, the following roadways were closed and officials are urging members of the public to stay out of the area.

• Routt County Road 15 from the intersection of Routt County Road 17 to Crosho Lake
• Routt County Road 132 from Routt County Road 15 to Dunckley Pass
• Routt County Road 25 from Routt County Road 132A to Routt County Road 132
• Routt County Road 19 from Routt County Road 15 to Routt County Road 25
• Rio Blanco County Road 8 (Dunckley Pass) is closed at the intersection of Rio Blanco County Road 8 and Rio Blanco County Road 19 

An evacuation center was established at the South Routt Elementary School, 448 Main Street, in Yampa, according to a Tuesday afternoon news release from the county.

The evacuation center will be open and staffed 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily as needed. The news release notes that the center is not an overnight shelter and should be used for information and temporary needs. Animals are not allowed.

The Routt County Humane Society asks the community to donate dry and canned dog and cat food and dog treats to support South Routt residents who may be evacuated. Donations can be dropped off at 760 Critter Court.

Evacuating residents with livestock should contact Todd Hagenbuch at 970-846-5607. Those able to assist with evacuated livestock can fill out a form at TinyUrl.com/3ctpeyab.

Stagecoach Reservoir closed to all boating around 4 p.m. Tuesday to allow planes to pick up water. The reservoir will remain closed until further notice.

The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland are anticipating closures as well. Residents and visitors should avoid the areas.

The National Weather Service announced a Red Flag Warning, a Fire Weather Watch and an Air Quality Health Advisory for much of western Colorado, including Routt and Moffat counties Wednesday.

The Red Flag Warning will extend through at least 10 p.m. Thursday, while the Fire Weather Watch will extend through 10 p.m. Friday. The Air Quality Health Advisory will extend through 9 a.m. Thursday.

Routt County residents are encouraged to subscribe to the Routt County Emergency Alert System, which informs residents of emergencies and incidents as they happen.

To sign up for Routt County Emergency Alerts, visit TinyUrl.com/mv5pbjtk.

For updated Crosho Fire updates, visit Co.Routt.Co.Us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=746.