The Turner Gulch fire burning southwest of Grand Junction in Mesa County exploded late Monday night and early Tuesday, racing across 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and forcing new evacuations, according to fire officials.

The Turner Gulch Fire in western Colorado has grown to 15,071 acres with 9% containment, according to fire officials. The Wright Draw Fire is at 448 acres.

The Turner Gulch wildfire near Unaweep Canyon northeast of Gateway is burning about 14,000 acres as of Wednesday afternoon. It is the largest wildfire currently burning in Colorado. The nearby Wright Draw wildfire,