Thousands of people forced to flee their homes after massive wildfires in Colorado

        
Crews are surveying the damage from a large wildfire burning near Colorado Springs, Colorado, that already has destroyed dozens of homes.    

Authorities initially estimated between 40 and 60 houses burned in Black Forest, a heavily wooded residential area northeast of Colorado Springs.     

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said on Wednesday that he believes around 80 have been lost, and he wouldn't be surprised if the figure reaches or tops 100.        

"The winds are expected to pick up," Maketa said, "It's still a very hot and active fire area." Maketa said there were no reports of anyone missing in the fire.         

But he was concerned for those who chose to ignore evacuation orders and stay behind.        

The fire was one of several that broke out along Colorado's Front Range Tuesday and quickly spread in high winds and record heat.       

It has burned about 12 square miles and forced the evacuation of more than 7,000 people in an area over 47 square miles.           


AP