Wildfires and hot weather in Colorado

6:47 PM, Jun 26, 2012   |    comments
Colorado wildfires force evacuations of 100 homes
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FORT COLLINS, Colo. - It's another hot, difficult day for crews battling wildfires in Colorado.

Officials now say more than 257 homes have been destroyed by the High Park fire, burning west of Fort Collins. Lightning started the fire on June 9. Since then, it's scorched 136 square miles. Fire officials say they have the blaze about 55 percent contained and are optimistic they can hold and extend the fire lines. Hundreds of evacuated residents are still waiting to return home.

Meanwhile, firefighters are battling to keep the Waldo Canyon fire from reaching the Air Force Academy and residential areas north of Colorado Springs. It's burned about 8 square miles and is only 5 percent contained. But so far, it's only destroyed a shed. About 5,000 people remain evacuated from their homes.

At least four other wildfires are burning in Colorado.

(Copyright 2012 by Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)