More people ordered to evacuate near High Park Fire

By The Associated Press
Monday, June 18, 2012

BELLVUE — More people are evacuating a wildfire in northern Colorado after powerful winds endangered more homes.

The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said firefighters dealt with winds of 30 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph on Sunday.

The High Park Fire burning 15 miles west of Fort Collins has destroyed at least 181 homes, the most in state history. The Fourmile Canyon wildfire destroyed 169 homes near Boulder two years ago.

Firefighters are also busy fighting several other Colorado wildfires. A fire erupted Sunday in the foothills west of Colorado Springs, prompting the evacuation of some cabins and a recreation area near the Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir. Another fire near Pagosa Springs in the southwestern part of the state has grown to 11,617 acres and is 30 percent contained.