More Waldo Canyon evacuees returning home

By The Associated Press
Monday, July 2, 2012

COLORADO SPRINGS – Some more residents have been allowed back to their homes as firefighters make progress against the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs.

About 2,000 people were still under evacuation orders Monday. About half don’t have homes to return to.

At its peak, about 32,000 people were forced to flee from the fire, including conservative commentator Michelle Malkin.

The 28-square-mile hasn’t grown much in the past three days despite hot weather. The fire, which damaged or destroyed 350 houses, is 55 percent contained.

In western Colorado, firefighters have been able to keep a wildfire burning on about 21 square miles near Grand Junction from crossing the Colorado River. The Pine Ridge fire is 35 percent contained.