Colorado wildfire destroys 181 homes

The wildfire in the US State of Colorado has destroyed at least 181 homes, the most in state history. Firefighters continued their efforts to corral more of the perilous blaze, following a week in which its flames have moved through forests and neighborhoods, forcing thousands of evacuations and leaving a trail of destruction. "It will be some time before this fire is out, but our challenge now is to make sure we do everything to contain the damage," Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said. Vilsack addressed reporters shortly after touring the High Park Fire, which he noted is one of thousands currently burning nationwide. Red flag warnings, noting alarmingly high chances of wildfire activity, have been issued by the National Weather Service in nine states including Colorado. At more than 54,000 acres burned, it is not the biggest, the agriculture secretary noted that he was heading next to New Mexico where the Whitewater Baldy complex has scorched more than 290,000 acres, but it has been under the spotlight for its speed and affect on people and property. The High Park Fire burning 15 miles west of Fort Collins surpasses the Fourmile Canyon wildfire, which destroyed 169 homes west of Boulder in September 2010. More than 1,630 personnel are working on the Fort Collins-area fire, officials said in a news release Saturday night. The figure represents an increase of more than 100 firefighters from a day earlier. The lightning-caused blaze, which is believed to have killed a 62-year-old woman whose body was found in her cabin, was 20 percent contained. The fire’s incident commander said full containment could be two to four weeks away. National Weather Service meteorologist Kyle Fredin said some rain was expected in the fire zone, but it will not be enough to put the fire out. But crews were bracing for difficult conditions Sunday with wind gusts expected to hit 50 mph along ridge tops and in Poudre Canyon and temperatures in the 90s. The fire was reported June 9 and has since raced through large swaths of private and US Forest Service land. It was 45 percent contained late Saturday.