Colorado Wildfire of 'Epic Proportions' Displaces 32,000

Religion Today | Updated: Jun 27, 2012

Colorado Wildfire of 'Epic Proportions' Displaces 32,000

Firefighters are battling inferno-like conditions to try to tame an explosive wildfire that has already displaced 32,000 residents from their homes near Colorado Springs, Colo., including more than 2,000 who live at the Air Force Academy. The Waldo Canyon Fire, which started June 23, has burned nearly 16,000 acres and remains only 5 percent contained. "This is a firestorm of epic proportions," said Richard Brown, the Colorado Springs fire chief. Brown said Wednesday morning that homes had been impacted overnight, but declined to give any numbers. Colorado Springs set a record high of 101 on Tuesday, and winds gusting to 65 mph blew flames from the fire through containment lines into northwest Colorado Springs on Tuesday afternoon.  Meanwhile, firefighters are battling six other wildfires in Colorado -- where a total of 257 homes have been lost -- as well as fires in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

Colorado Wildfire of 'Epic Proportions' Displaces 32,000