Colorado Wildfire Rages On, Forces 32,000 to Evacuate
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.) — About 32,000 people have been evacuated indefinitely from their homes near Colorado Springs, Colo., as a wildfire there continues to grow and threaten homes, officials said Tuesday night.
The Waldo Canyon blaze, which was described Tuesday night by Colorado Springs Fire Chief Richard Brown as a “firestorm of epic proportions,” also prompted the closure of the Air Force Academy, where a new class of cadets are due to report on Thursday. It is not yet known if that schedule still stands.
Authorities said 65 mile per hour winds and near 100 degree temperatures on Tuesday helped the fire spread and bust through lines of containment.
Wednesday’s forecast won’t offer much help either to the more than 800 firefighters who are battling the flames. Temperatures are expected to reach the high 90s and no significant rain is in sight.
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