Colo. Fire Destroys 12 Homes; Others Evacuated

A wind-fueled wildfire that forced the evacuation of a small southern Colorado town has destroyed at least 14 houses.
    
The 3 1/4-square-mile fire near Wetmore was 15 percent contained Wednesday night.
    
About 380 residents have been told to leave their homes, but many evacuees in nearby Pueblo County have been allowed to return home.
    
The wildfire broke out Tuesday and quickly spread in winds gusting up to 79 mph. The fire continued spreading overnight, forcing authorities to go door-to-door to evacuate seven homes in Pueblo County.
    
The cause is still under investigation, but wind may be to blame. Custer County Sheriff Fred Jobe told The Denver Post that colliding power lines apparently created sparks that ignited dry brush.
    
Meanwhile, a fire in southwest Colorado has led to the evacuation of about 30 homes.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
 

Tweet