Wildfires rage in Colorado as fears grow over continued drought

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/16/wildfires-colorado-fears-drought-evacuations


Colorado wildfire near Fort Collins. Photograph: Ed Andrieski/AP

Two wind-driven wildfires erupted in northern Colorado on Friday, prompting the evacuation of about 50 residents and signaling an early start to the wildfire season in the parched Rocky Mountain west.

The larger of the two blazes that prompted the evacuations, the Soldier Canyon Fire, has charred about 800 acres near Lory State Park, Poudre Fire Authority Captain Patrick Love told Reuters.

"We've been experiencing strong, erratic winds from the north all afternoon," Love said.

Along with the winds, unseasonably high temperatures and low humidity have fanned the fire that is burning about 75 miles northwest of Denver, he said.

[Th1onein]

1. Here we go again.....nt