Wildfires are consuming thousands of acres in Colorado, destroying up to 100 homes and causing many more evacuations as federal officials struggle to mobilize and fight the blazes.
The Denver Post says local officials report 40 to 100 homes destroyed in the Black Forest Fire covering more than 10,000 acres covering northeast El Paso County, at the Royal Grange, in Rocky Mountain National Park and in Huerfano County. Officials say more than 2,500 homes and businesses were evacuated.
One of the largest fires, the Royal Gorge Fire west of Canon City, has consumed an estimated 3,800 acres as of noon today and is zero percent contained, says the Forest Service.
Rough terrain and difficulty mobilizing firefighting resources has hampered efforts to fight the fires, according to press reports.
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