DENVER (KDVR) — A grass fire sparked Monday in Elbert County and burned hundreds of acres, the Elbert Fire Protection District reported.

The fire comes as the district is under stage two fire restrictions. That means all outdoor fires are prohibited, including charcoal grills and portable fireplaces, and the use of tools that could spark a fire, such as chainsaws, must be operated with an approved spark-arresting device.

The Elbert Fire Protection District said the fire started off Elbert Road, just east of West Kiowa Creek. The agency cautioned residents that the fire was producing a lot of smoke while they worked to contain it.

At about 6 p.m., the district said the fire had grown to “around 600 acres and approximately 85% contained.”

The county was also under a high wind warning on Monday, with sustained winds expected to be between 40 and 50 mph, with gusts of up to 70 mph.

The district also noted that no structures were in danger at the time of posting. Several agencies were on scene to quell the blaze, including crews from Elbert, Kiowa, Franktown, Falcon and Elizabeth.

As of 6 p.m. Monday, the cause of the fire was under investigation.