Strong winds fueled a wildfire in canyon country west of Fort Collins, Colo., forcing the evacuation of 335 homes, authorities said April 3.
There have been no reports of any injuries or damage to any of the dwellings, but the blaze earlier destroyed an outbuilding, a motorcycle and an all-terrain vehicle.
The fire developed Saturday in the rugged, hilly area located about 15 miles west of Fort Collins, and grew rapidly as wind speed increased to 50 mph.
“This is becoming a major fire,” Larimer County Sheriff’s spokesman John Schulz told The Associated Press. “Estimates are the fire has grown to approximately 800 to 1100 acres. At this time there is no containment and the fire continues to grow rapidly.”
He said the evacuations were in three areas: 40 homes south of Buckhorn Canyon, 70 homes east of Crystal Mountain Road, and 225 homes around Redstone Canyon
Schulz said that although there have been no reports of any homes damaged by flames, he added, “I know there were structures that were threatened.”
Evacuation shelters have been set up at Cache La Poudre Elementary School and Big Thompson Elementary School.
Officials said two other areas — Davis Ranch Road and Rist Canyon — have been urged to be prepared to evacuate if the situation calls for it.
Smoke from the blazes was spreading into Fort Collins and the surrounding area yesterday.
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