A massive wildfire in Colorado forced the evacuation of a prison as flames moved dangerously close after scorching more than 100,000 acres.
The Lee Fire, burning west of Denver, has become the sixth-largest single blaze in state history, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for mountain communities as the fire spreads across 167 square miles in Garfield and Rio Blanco counties. Local fire officials said the blaze was just 6% contained as of Sunday night.
On Saturday, all 179 inmates at the Rifle Correctional Center were moved to another facility “out of an abundance of caution,” the Colorado Department of Corrections told The Associated Press.
No injuries or structural damage have been reported, but officials urged residents in remote areas to be prepared to evacuate as gusty winds and low humidity continued to fuel the fire.
More than 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze. State health officials have issued air quality warnings due to smoke from both the Lee Fire and the nearby Elk Fire, which has burned 23 square miles to the east.
In Southern California, crews have contained 62% of the 8-square-mile Canyon Fire, which broke out Thursday near the Los Angeles and Ventura County line. The blaze destroyed seven structures and forced evacuations. Three firefighters were injured, including a battalion chief who was seriously hurt when his pickup truck rolled over in steep terrain.
Meanwhile, California’s largest wildfire this year, the Gifford Fire, has burned at least 180 square miles in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties since igniting on August 1. It was 21% contained as of Sunday.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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