National guard staffs roadblocks at wildfire

By The Associated Press
Thursday, June 21, 2012

BELLVUE — The National Guard has been called in to help with roadblocks as some evacuees from a wildfire in northern Colorado prepare for a meeting with fire managers.

Larimer County authorities have called a mandatory meeting Thursday with Poudre Park residents to discuss plans to allow them to return to their homes. The U.S. Forest Service says about 50 National Guard members are helping at roadblocks.

The northern Colorado fire is burning west of Fort Collins and is 55 percent contained. The fire has triggered hundreds of evacuations and destroyed at least 189 homes. A lightning strike started the fire June 9.

Firefighters are also dealing with a 2-square-mile fire near Lake George and a 3-square-mile fire near Craig.