DENVER (AP) - The Latest on wildfires burning in Colorado (all times local):
6:20 p.m.
A wildfire has burned nearly two dozen homes and scorched about 64 square miles (16,600 hectares) in southern Colorado.
El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder says the fire burned 23 homes, seven of them vacant, after it was sparked near Interstate 25 between Colorado Springs and Pueblo on Tuesday. No deaths have been reported.
The Gazette reports the fire is 25 percent contained.
Elder says he suspects it was sparked by something like a tossed cigarette or a spark from a chain hanging from a passing truck.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a high temperature of 60 degrees (15 degrees Celsius) on Thursday, with windy conditions. Rain and snow are forecast for the area Friday.
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1:30 p.m.
A southern Colorado wildfire destroyed two more homes Wednesday morning, bringing the total lost to 12.
El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder asked residents in the southern part of the county to remain vigilant because evacuation orders are still in place and the fire could re-ignite. He says the state of Colorado is taking over command of the fire.
Elder estimates the fire was 5 to 10 percent contained by mid-day Wednesday. It has burned 64 square miles (16,600 hectares).
The National Weather Service is forecasting a high temperature of 60 degrees (15 degrees Celsius) on Thursday, with winds.
Rain and snow are forecast for the area on Friday.
9:45 a.m.
A wildfire fanned by strong winds in southern Colorado has burned 10 homes, with most total losses.
El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder praised fire crews on Wednesday for protecting so much property despite a lack of air support because of winds gusting up to 60 mph (96 kph) on Tuesday. The fire broke out between Colorado Springs and Pueblo and burned over 40,000 acres (16,187 hectares).
Elder hopes they can put the remaining fire out before winds pick up later Wednesday.
The fire started near Interstate 25 so Elder suspects it was sparked by something like a tossed cigarette or a spark from a chain hanging from a passing truck.
Another wind-whipped wildfire destroyed five homes and several outbuildings east of Pueblo and forced 200 families from their homes. No injuries were reported.
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8:25 a.m.
Calmer weather on Wednesday should help firefighters trying to stop wildfires that started in strong winds.
Winds gusting to 60 mph (96 kph) helped fan a wildfire between Colorado Springs and Pueblo on Tuesday. It burned at least 10 buildings close to Interstate 25 and sheriff’s patrol car also went up in flames. Authorities were so busy just trying to get people evacuated they weren’t able to do much to fight the flames or protect property.
Meanwhile, another wind-whipped wildfire destroyed five homes and several outbuildings east of Pueblo and forced 200 families from their homes. No injuries were reported.
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