Four wildfires burning across the state Wednesday have destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands to evacuate, including 900 inmates from a state prison.
One fire might affect plans for a temporary art installation along the Arkansas River in south-central Colorado that has been envisioned by the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
Near Colorado Springs, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said Wednesday afternoon that the Black Forest Fire had destroyed 92 homes and damaged five others. Flames were jumping fire lines and burning uncontrolled over about 48 square miles.
"The fire has doubled back, and homes we identified as standing, are now engulfed," Maketa said. "The potential for this fire to spread is extreme."
Maketa said that about 3,400 homes and 9,500 people had been evacuated by early evening and that between 8,500 and 12,000 acres had burned since the blaze began Tuesday. Strong southerly winds were rapidly expanding the fire's northern edge, The Gazette reported. Firefighters had to be pulled back to safety, and five air tankers were called in.
There were no immediate reports of injuries among residents or the nearly 500 firefighters on the scene. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
One fire might affect plans for a temporary art installation along the Arkansas River in south-central Colorado that has been envisioned by the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude.
Near Colorado Springs, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said Wednesday afternoon that the Black Forest Fire had destroyed 92 homes and damaged five others. Flames were jumping fire lines and burning uncontrolled over about 48 square miles.
"The fire has doubled back, and homes we identified as standing, are now engulfed," Maketa said. "The potential for this fire to spread is extreme."
Maketa said that about 3,400 homes and 9,500 people had been evacuated by early evening and that between 8,500 and 12,000 acres had burned since the blaze began Tuesday. Strong southerly winds were rapidly expanding the fire's northern edge, The Gazette reported. Firefighters had to be pulled back to safety, and five air tankers were called in.
There were no immediate reports of injuries among residents or the nearly 500 firefighters on the scene. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
