DURANGO, Colo. (AP) The Latest on wildfire burning in southwest Colorado (all times local):
4:10 p.m.
A wildfire burning in southwestern Colorado has forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 homes, and hundreds more residents have been told to prepare to leave.
The Durango Herald reports that residents of nearly 500 homes in and around Hermosa were told to leave Thursday morning, and fire managers expect the blaze to reach the area late Thursday night or Friday. The 416 Fire, which has scorched nearly 8 square miles (20.7 square kilometers), is burning about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Durango.
Firefighters plan to use pre-positioned sprinkler systems, fire hoses and fire engines, as well as aircraft, to protect the homes. Firefighters have also scouted out places to build fire lines to limit the fire's growth.
Residents of more than 1,500 homes are on pre-evacuation notice.
The fire, which started last Friday, is burning in rough terrain and is 10 percent contained.
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11:10 a.m.
Firefighters expect a wildfire burning in southwestern Colorado to reach homes soon, prompting the evacuation of more residents.
The 416 Fire about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Durango has grown to 7.9 square miles (20.6 square kilometers) as of Thursday. The new evacuees were warned in advance to leave Thursday morning.
Fire managers say they expect the fire to reach the evacuees' homes within 12 to 36 hours. They plan to use pre-positioned sprinkler systems, fire hoses and fire engines as well as aircraft to protect the homes. Firefighters have also scouted out places to build fire lines to limit the fire's growth.
About 1,500 residents in the area have already been evacuated because of the fire, which began last Friday.
It is burning in rough terrain and is 10 percent contained.
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8:20 a.m.
More homes are being evacuated because of the wildfire burning in southwest Colorado.
Residents were warned in advance to leave Thursday morning because of the 416 Fire burning about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Durango
The 6.2 square mile (16.2 square kilometers) wildfire is burning in rough terrain in the San Juan National Forest. It's 10 percent contained.
About 1,500 residents in the area have already been evacuated because of the fire, which began last Friday.
Fire managers say the cause isn't known.
The fire has shut down the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which runs through the area, at least through Sunday.