COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A wildfire burning northeast of Colorado Springs has destroyed at least 360 homes, making it the most destructive in state history.
El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said Thursday that deputies still haven't been able to verify the condition of 79 homes as the wildfire continues to burn, so it's possible the figure could rise even higher.
The fire is burning near where the Waldo Canyon fire burned 347 homes last year and killed two people. It was previously the most destructive in Colorado history.
Fueled by high temperatures, changing gusts, and thick, bone-dry forests, the Black Forest Fire earlier prompted evacuation orders and pre-evacuation notices to more than 9,000 people and to about 3,500 homes and businesses, sheriff's officials said.
Read the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.