COLORADO : Forest Fire Forces Hundreds to Flee

Several hundred people were evacuated from the tiny mountain town of Buffalo Creek and nearby campgrounds as a forest fire raging among ponderosa pine covered 3,000 acres in just a few hours. “It’s rocking and rolling in heavy fuels of ponderosa pine and is driven by winds,” said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Dave Steinke. Winds of up to 39 mph were helping feed the fire, although the gusts were expected to die down about sunset, officials said. The cause of the fire wasn’t known. Smoke from the fire at the 7,500-foot elevation in the foothills looked like a huge thunderstorm cloud in Denver, 30 miles away.