One missing as wildfires rage in Colorado, New Mexico
Agence France-Presse
An out-of-control wildfire in the western US state of Colorado more than doubled in size overnight, with one person missing and up to 100 structures destroyed, officials said Monday.
In neighboring New Mexico, a blaze was also burning out of control, although authorities said a lull in the weather was providing an opportunity to make progress against the fire.
In Colorado, firefighters were struggling to get a grip on the flames, fanned by high winds. "The hope for containment today is tenuous and entirely dependent on weather conditions," said fire services commander Bill Hohnenberg.
The blaze, dubbed the High Park Fire, broke out early Saturday near Fort Collins, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of Denver.
Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith said one person was listed as missing.
"We have a burned out structure and most indications are that that's where this person might have been. We did not find any signs of anybody in the surrounding area," Smith said.
With high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity, the fire had by early Monday ravaged almost 39,000 acres (15,800 hectares), more than double the previous total.
"We have good reason to believe there are 100-plus structures that are damaged or destroyed. When I say structures, we don't know if they are homes, sheds or what," Smith told reporters.
Nearly 2,600 evacuation orders have been issued.
Lightning is suspected as the cause, but an investigation is still underway.
In New Mexico, meanwhile some 34,500 acres have been consumed in a fire also thought to be due to lightning, which has so far destroyed 35 structures, said the state fire information service in an online update.
"Higher humidity and lower wind speeds, combined with the arrival of additional personnel and equipment provide an opportunity to make progress today," it said.
