Colorado wildfire out of control, residents evacuated

[marmar]

A wildfire near Colorado Springs erupted and grew out of control to more than 3 square miles over the weekend, prompting the evacuation of a popular vacation town and the closure of nearby highways Sunday.

At least 11,000 residents of the town of Manitou Springs and nearby communities of Cascade, Chipita Park and Green Mountain Falls were ordered to leave Saturday or early Sunday. The resort communities include campgrounds, inns, rental cabins and other vacation properties that were emptied, though it wasn't immediately clear how many people those evacuations included.

The fire quickly grew to more than 2,000 acres amid tinder dry conditions, gusty winds and temperatures that reached into the 90s.

It also prompted evacuations for the west side of Colorado Springs and in the towns of Cascade and Ute Pass, but no structures have been destroyed and no buildings were under immediate threat. ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0624/Colorado-wildfire-out-of-control-residents-evacuated-videos

[El Supremo]

1. There are at least 10 active wild fires in Colorado. >>

[Motown_Johnny]

2. .