About 170 firefighters from more than a dozen agencies were working Sunday to contain a wildfire burning along Colorado 115 between Colorado Springs and Penrose, according to fire officials.

The blaze, dubbed the 24 fire for the mile marker where it started, had scorched more than 4,605 acres and was at zero percent containment as of Sunday evening, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office officials said.

The wildfire started Wednesday morning along the east side of Colorado 115 before jumping onto Fort Carson land. High winds and unseasonably warm temperatures have accelerated its growth, especially over the weekend.

The blaze was reported at 1,927 acres as of Saturday evening; by Sunday afternoon, it more than doubled in size.

Crews from Black Forest, Falcon, Hanover, Security, Fountain, Colorado Springs and several other locations were battling the blaze, with aerial support from two heavy aircraft and two “super scooper” planes, officials said.

Ground crews were patrolling Colorado 115 to keep the fire from crossing to the west side of the highway, according to a Fort Carson spokesperson.

Mandatory evacuations were in effect within a two-mile radius of County Road 245 and Colorado 115, and a three-mile pre-evacuation order remained in effect as of Sunday evening.

“Large amounts of smoke will continue to be visible as fire response operations continue,” a Fort Carson official stated in a news release.

Fire officials expressed optimism about Sunday’s weather conditions, which were significantly cooler than the past few days. According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, the high temperature in the Penrose region was about 65 degrees, with mostly moderate winds — though some afternoon gusts were measured at 30 mph. Relative humidity, which had been in the single digits Friday and Saturday, was more than 20% Sunday.

“That should help curb fire behavior,” said Eric Petersen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Monday is expected to be mostly sunny in the region, with smoke in some areas and a high near 73, according to the weather agency. Tuesday should be mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Colorado 115 was closed between Fort Carson and Penrose, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office did not give an estimated time for reopening.

“This closure is critical to ensure the safety of firefighters and allow crews to operate effectively,” officials said in a social media update.

No injuries or structural damage had been reported as of Sunday evening.

Colorado Springs residents, especially those living on the south end of the city, might see and smell smoke, and while the city is not under immediate threat from the 24 blaze, its proximity serves as a reminder that a wildfire is just a spark away, Mayor Yemi Mobolade said in a social media post Sunday.

“Right now, the conditions in Colorado Springs are ripe for wildfire,” the mayor said.

“We just had the warmest winter and warmest February on record and have broken heat records in March already. And we continue to see dry air and low humidity. These are the same kind of conditions that have shaped some of the most devastating fires in our city’s history.”

“The truth is, wildfire is not a matter of ‘if’ here. It’s ‘when,’” Mobolade continued. “And when that moment comes, the difference will be how prepared we are today.”

In Costilla County, the authorities lifted evacuation orders as firefighting crews made progress on the Chama Canyon fire. That blaze was holding at about 140 acres with 50% containment as of Sunday evening.