350 Homes Destroyed in Colorado Wildfire

Mayor of Colorado Springs offers initial estimate
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 28, 2012 6:13 PM CDT
350 Homes Destroyed in Colorado Wildfire
This aerial photo shows the destructive path of the Waldo Canyon fire in the Mountain Shadows subdivision area of Colorado Springs.   (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti)

Authorities in Colorado Springs have offered their first assessment of damage from the still-raging Waldo Canyon fire, and it's not a happy one: The mayor says about 350 homes have been destroyed, making it the most destructive fire in state history, reports AP. Other developments:

  • The fire is about 10% contained and may not be fully under control until mid-July, according to CNN.
  • 18,000 acres have been destroyed so far, and 36,000 people have evacuated.
  • The cost of fighting the fire is already at $3.2 million.
  • Cause: It's still unknown, but the FBI is investigating reports of arson.
  • Quote: "We have the first break in the weather since we've been out here," a city official said today. "We are learning as we fight this fire some of its tricks. And one of its tricks is to run down these hills that way. You can fool us once, maybe, but not twice."
(More wildfires stories.)

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