Saxon and Jessica Parker are affected by the ongoing wildfires in Colorado.

A former resident of Butler County was evacuated Thursday from his home in Rock Creek Park, Colo., because of a nearby wildfire.

Saxon Parker, 31, a Karns City Area Junior-Senior High School graduate, said he and his wife, Jessica, saw smoke earlier in the day, but thought nothing of it until more advisories were issued.

“We've had high winds all morning and about noon today we started seeing smoke from the north, which was from a grass fire,” he said. “At 1 p.m., they said a fire started near Superior (Colo.) and evacuations will be coming. By 1:15, they suggested everyone evacuate, so we packed our bags and left.”

He said it took them about a half-hour to drive out of their housing development because of the residential traffic evacuating and the emergency vehicles heading in other directions.

Despite the warnings, which he said were unexpected, the departing drivers were polite and cooperative while evacuating from the neighborhood.

The Parkers were able to make it to Jessica's mother's house in Denver, where they plan to stay for the foreseeable future.

The couple moved to Rock Creek Park in August, and Saxon Parker said he didn't think wildfires would ever displace them.

“Nothing like this ever crossed our minds,” he said. “Fires happen in the mountains, but to have one in the front range is not something we expected.”

He said authorities have set up evacuation centers for people seeking refuge during this time. He was watching the news while speaking to the Eagle, and said he saw flames in his neighborhood, which was another unexpected sight for him.

“We're watching the news and hoping,” he said. “We don't have plans after that. We're just here, letting people know we're safe.”