Culture

Thousands Flee Colorado Fires

Four wildfires rage across the state

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Four wildfires burning across the state Wednesday have destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands to evacuate, including 900 inmates from a state prison.

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said the Black Forest Fire destroyed more than 40 homes after the blaze ignited Tuesday. It was 0% contained.

Black Forest is a residential area northeast of Colorado Springs named for its thick growth of Ponderosa Pines. Maketa said about 2,300 homes, affecting about 6,400 people, were evacuated.