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Colorado wildfires force evacuation of 900 state prison inmates Colorado wildfires force evacuation of 900 state prison inmates
(4 months later)
A wildfire forced the evacuation of more than 900 prisoners at a state prison outside Colorado Springs early on Wednesday, one of four blazes across the Front Range of the Rockies that destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands of people to flee.A wildfire forced the evacuation of more than 900 prisoners at a state prison outside Colorado Springs early on Wednesday, one of four blazes across the Front Range of the Rockies that destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands of people to flee.
Department of corrections spokeswoman Adrienne Jacobson said prisoners from the Colorado territorial correctional facility were taken to other prisons overnight. The evacuation was ordered because of the danger from heavy smoke, she said. The fire has not reached the prison.Department of corrections spokeswoman Adrienne Jacobson said prisoners from the Colorado territorial correctional facility were taken to other prisons overnight. The evacuation was ordered because of the danger from heavy smoke, she said. The fire has not reached the prison.
The medium and low-risk prisoners were evacuated by bus, including 24 from an infirmary, some in wheelchairs, who were taken to a Denver facility to protect them from smoke.The medium and low-risk prisoners were evacuated by bus, including 24 from an infirmary, some in wheelchairs, who were taken to a Denver facility to protect them from smoke.
That fire was burning south of the Royal Gorge Bridge and it destroyed three structures near Canon City.That fire was burning south of the Royal Gorge Bridge and it destroyed three structures near Canon City.
A separate fire in a heavily wooded Black Forest residential area north-east of Colorado Springs burned 40 to 60 homes after it broke out on Tuesday and prompted evacuations of about 2,300 homes, affecting about 6,400 people.A separate fire in a heavily wooded Black Forest residential area north-east of Colorado Springs burned 40 to 60 homes after it broke out on Tuesday and prompted evacuations of about 2,300 homes, affecting about 6,400 people.
Six helicopters and an air tanker were on the scene, El Paso County sheriff Terry Maketa said. C-130 cargo planes are expected to be prepared to help fight the fire.Six helicopters and an air tanker were on the scene, El Paso County sheriff Terry Maketa said. C-130 cargo planes are expected to be prepared to help fight the fire.
The area is not far from last summer's devastating Waldo Canyon Fire that destroyed 346 homes and killed two.The area is not far from last summer's devastating Waldo Canyon Fire that destroyed 346 homes and killed two.
However, there were no immediate reports of injuries in the fires.However, there were no immediate reports of injuries in the fires.
All of the fires moved quickly Tuesday, driven by record temperatures and strong winds. The conditions were making it difficult to build containment lines around the fires, and sparks jumped across them.All of the fires moved quickly Tuesday, driven by record temperatures and strong winds. The conditions were making it difficult to build containment lines around the fires, and sparks jumped across them.
"Weather is not working with us right now, but our guys are giving it a heck of a shot," Maketa said."Weather is not working with us right now, but our guys are giving it a heck of a shot," Maketa said.
A third wildfire in southern Colorado erupted on Tuesday in rural Huerfano County. The Klikus Fire had burned an estimated 45 to 50 acres west of La Veta, prompting evacuation orders for about 200 residences.A third wildfire in southern Colorado erupted on Tuesday in rural Huerfano County. The Klikus Fire had burned an estimated 45 to 50 acres west of La Veta, prompting evacuation orders for about 200 residences.
A fourth wildfire sparked on Monday by lightning in Rocky Mountain national park quickly grew to an estimated 300 to 400 acres by Tuesday.A fourth wildfire sparked on Monday by lightning in Rocky Mountain national park quickly grew to an estimated 300 to 400 acres by Tuesday.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized federal funds to defray costs of fighting the Black Forest and Royal Gorge fires.The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized federal funds to defray costs of fighting the Black Forest and Royal Gorge fires.
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