Colorado wildfire destroys 181 homes - KMSP-TV

Source: NewsCore

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- The wildfire burning just west of Fort Collins, Colo., has destroyed 181 homes, Larimer County Sheriff's officials said Saturday.

The so-called High Park fire has now claimed more homes than any other in Colorado's history, The Denver Post reported.

It has burned about 55,050 acres (22,277 hectares) -- making it the third-largest wildfire ever in the state -- and was 45 percent contained late Saturday night.

Larimer County officials said in a statement late Saturday that while the wildfire had been quiet earlier in the day, a red flag warning had been issued for Sunday, when wind gusts of up to 50mph (80kph) and temperatures of about 90F (32C) are expected.

In preparation for this forecast, crews have been securing lines on the northern perimeter where a significant number of firefighters have been deployed.

Evacuations ordered Friday for the Glacier View Meadows neighborhood will likely remain in effect for a few days, according to the Post, but evacuation orders for the Santanka Trail area have been lifted.

Residents in the Soldier Canyon and Mill Canyon neighborhoods were also allowed to return to their homes Saturday as of 6:00pm local time, but were warned that they could be ordered to leave again.

A firefighter was rushed to a hospital overnight for unspecified injuries that were not life-threatening, and was listed in stable condition Saturday.

More than 1,550 firefighters, 103 engines and 16 helicopters are battling the blaze, which started last Saturday.

Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), who attended a news briefing Saturday morning, described the fight against the wildfire by saying, "This is going to war with Mother Nature."

The current cost of the fire to date was estimated at $10.8 million, Larimer County officials said.

Authorities also said that evacuated residents concerned about looting should be reassured by the presence of local police and the National Guard, adding that there had been no confirmed reports of looting to date.