The City of Boulder, in Colorado, activated an emergency operations center to respond to a raging wildfire that originally broke out near Jamestown. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate as the Calwood fire, named so after a nearby camp, spread quickly covering the area in a blanket of thick smoke.

Firefighting operations were still underway at the time of going to press. A Red Flag warning was issued for North Eastern Colorado on Saturday, given the strong wind, low relative humidity and warm temperatures, reported Colorado Public Radio. Road closures were put in place and traffic rerouted to ensure timely evacuation of residents.

Even as Jamestown were being evacuated, others living miles away captured dramatic images and videos of the fire and smoke that billowed in the region.