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Trio of Colorado wildfires burn amid dry conditions Colorado wildfires prompt evacuation of thousands
(about 14 hours later)
Authorities in Colorado are fighting a trio of wildfires in hot, dry conditions, including one threatening the world's highest suspension bridge. Colorado is facing a trio of wildfires in hot, dry conditions, including one threatening the world's highest suspension bridge.
A fire crew is combating a 300-acre (121-hectare) blaze near Royal Gorge Bridge on the Arkansas River. The blazes have razed dozens of homes and prompted the evacuation of nearly 6,500 people, including hundreds of inmates from a prison.
Meanwhile, several large homes have already been engulfed in a separate fire north of Colorado Springs. One of the fires, spanning 300 acres (121 hectares), is near the Royal Gorge Bridge on the Arkansas River.
A third fire, sparked by lightning, was burning further north in Rocky Mountain National Park. A second fire is raging north of the city of Colorado Springs.
The blaze was sending out large plumes of smoke in the park's western end. A third blaze, sparked by lightning, was burning further north in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Officials have closed the park around Royal Gorge Bridge, the world's highest suspension bridge at 956ft (291m), and parts of a nearby highway. Officials have also closed and evacuated hundreds of people from another park near Royal Gorge Bridge, the world's highest suspension bridge at 956ft (291m), and parts of a nearby highway.
Hundreds of people were evacuated from the park.
Dangerous conditionsDangerous conditions
A local newspaper reported that as of 18:00 local time on Tuesday (0:00 GMT on Wednesday), the bridge itself was threatened by the blaze. Tourist structures on either side of the Arkansas River were reportedly already damaged. A local newspaper reported that as of 18:00 local time on Tuesday (0:00 GMT on Wednesday), the bridge itself was threatened by the blaze. Tourist structures on either side of the Arkansas River are said to have already been damaged.
Amid hot, dry and windy conditions, weather officials have issued a wildfire warning covering southern Colorado. Weather officials have issued a wildfire warning covering southern Colorado.
In the Black Forest area north of Colorado Springs, officials ordered residents to evacuate as the fire raged through the Cathedral Pines neighbourhood, where some home values topped $1m (£639,000). Between 40 and 60 homes are believed to have been destroyed, and about 6,400 people have been evacuated, sheriff's officials said.
"To protect life is certainly the ultimate priority here," Lt Jeff Kramer said. In the Black Forest area north of Colorado Springs, the fire raged through the Cathedral Pines neighbourhood, where some home values topped $1m (£639,000).
But no injuries have been reported so far, Lt Kramer said. He added it was too early to say what caused the wildfire. The area is not far from Waldo Canyon, where a blaze last year burned 346 houses and killed two people.
But no injuries have been reported so far, police lieutenant Jeff Kramer said.
Meanwhile, south-west of Colorado Springs, more than 900 prisoners had to be evacuated from a state prison early on Wednesday morning.
Medium and low-risk inmates were taken away by bus, including two dozen sick convicts who were sent to an infirmary in Denver, some in wheelchairs, to protect them from smoke.
The fire has not yet reached the prison, but it has engulfed three structures near Canyon City.
The Colorado Springs fire department described the fire as "aggressive" and "moving quickly". The nearby US Air Force Academy was among those sending resources on the ground to fight the blaze.The Colorado Springs fire department described the fire as "aggressive" and "moving quickly". The nearby US Air Force Academy was among those sending resources on the ground to fight the blaze.
A thick plume of grey smoke could be seen from Denver, about 65 miles (104km) to the north.A thick plume of grey smoke could be seen from Denver, about 65 miles (104km) to the north.