High Park Fire Grows in Northern Colorado

Last Updated 12:45 pm

Despite only starting on Saturday, the High Park fire in Northern Colorado is already nearing 60 square miles. Hot, dry and windy conditions have allowed the blaze to grow out of control, 15 miles west of Fort Collins, where hundreds have been evacuated from their homes.

As of 6:50 a.m. (June 11), 18 buildings had been destroyed but an update from firefighters shortly after noon confirmed that now 118 buildings have been either damaged or destroyed. Firefighters say they are presently unable to determine how many of the 118 structures are homes and how many are sheds, barns or other buildings.

Currently 1 person is missing in the fire where 400 people and 10 air-tankers are working to contain the blaze. Half of the air-tankers are large aircraft.