One dead, two missing as Colo. wildfires rage

[PufPuf23]

Source: msnbc

The tens of thousands of evacuees in the Colorado Springs, Colo., area received word Thursday that hundreds of homes have been lost to an out-of-control wildfire.

A preliminary report indicates 346 residences on about 35 streets have been destroyed by the Waldo Canyon fire, Mayor Steve Bach said a late afternoon press conference, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported. The count isn't final and the numbers may change.

The fire, the most destructive in state history, was 10 percent contained. The cause hasn't been determined, said Jerri Marr of the U.S. Forest Service.

Late Thursday night, authorities said a body was found in the debris of a burned-out home in the area, marking the first fatality from the blaze.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47994188/ns/weather/

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So sad and unfortunate and perhaps could have been avoided. Alas. More of the western forests have burned in larger events post-1980 and bigger and more intense events are the continuing trend I expect.

[joshcryer]

1. That's awful. :( We were hoping no one had died.

That's just so sad. In a city of 600k+ it's still a testament to the fire fighters, but I wish there was no death. I hope the other two missing are found alive and well.