GILPIN COUNTY — Smokey the Bear has been a part of the US Forest Service since 1944. The Smokey Bear sign at the Timberline Fire Protection District Station 3 near Rollinsville in Gilpin County indicates that fire danger is at the extreme level.

Gilpin, Clear Creek, Western Boulder, and unincorporated Jefferson Counties are in all Stage 2 fire restrictions.

With this knowledge locals and visitors are responsible to behave accordingly.

In Colorado and throughout the Western states firefighters are fighting a number of wildfires. The Willow Fire not far from Leadville, Colorado, has grown to 4, 150 acres at the time of this reporting. According to the Lake County Sheriff's Department, it is 5% contained. So far there have been no loss of life or structures, and the cost is at $6.9 million.

The Aspen Acres fire southwest of Pueblo, Colorado, is impacting four counties (Custer, Pueblo, Fremont, and Huerfano). At the time of this reporting the fire is at 91, 761 acres with 13% containment and approximately 260 homes destroyed.

The Gold Mountain Fire is 2% contained and has burned 29,287 acres. This fire is north of Ouray and reaching into the Uncompahgre Wilderness. There are evacuations and closures in the Ouray and Montrose areas, and parts of Gunnison County.

The Dolores River Canyon Fire (Ferris Fire) is at 51,622 acres and is 22% contained. This fire is located in Dolores and Montezuma Counties and the San Juan National Forest in southwest Colorado. Evacuations have been ordered.

These fires are complex, with the extended drought conditions, winds, and heat. There may be thunderstorms in parts of the state for the next few days and let's hope some rain come with them.

Follow the fire restrictions that are in place.