BELLVUE, Colo. (AP) — Firefighters are making progress on a 93-square-mile wildfire in northern Colorado that has destroyed more homes than any other in state history.
The large blaze west of Fort Collins is 55 percent contained after firefighters labored in temperatures in the 90s to extend lines around the fire. Cooler temperatures are expected Wednesday, with a chance of isolated thunderstorms Thursday.
The fire already has destroyed at least 189 homes since it was sparked by lightning June 9. Fire officials say it could be weeks or even months before it's finally controlled.
More residents are being warned to be ready to leave because of a spot fire that ignited near the main fire.
The fire burning on an estimated 250 acres of private land west of Craig is threatening structures and has prompted an unknown number of evacuations.
Another wildfire in Colorado has driven out nuns living in a monastery, Boy Scouts at camp and residents of about 150 homes.
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070-a-03-(Linda Baker, wildfire evacuee, in interview)-"what they're doing"-Linda Baker says the fire crews battling the big blaze saved her home and hundreds of others. COURTESY KMGH-TV ((mandatory on-air credit)) (19 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *070 (06/19/12)>> 00:03 "what they're doing"
072-a-06-(Linda Baker, wildfire evacuee, in interview)-"lot of that"-Linda Baker says she knows her home and the homes of many of her neighbors are still threatened by the fire. COURTESY KMGH-TV ((mandatory on-air credit)) (19 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *072 (06/19/12)>> 00:06 "lot of that"
071-a-04-(Linda Baker, wildfire evacuee, in interview)-"save somebody else's"-Linda Baker says more than a few firefighters have lost their homes to the blaze. COURTESY KMGH-TV ((mandatory on-air credit)) (19 Jun 2012)
<<CUT *071 (06/19/12)>> 00:04 "save somebody else's"
APPHOTO COEA110: Fire burns trees on the High Park wildfire near Livermore, Colo., on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. The wildfire has burned over 180 homes. The fire already has destroyed at least 189 homes since it was sparked by lightning June 9. Incident commander Bill Hahnenberg said it could be weeks or even months before it's finally controlled. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski) (19 Jun 2012)
<<APPHOTO COEA110 (06/19/12)>>
APPHOTO COEA112: A spotter plane, top, catches up to a slurry bomber to lead it on a drop on the High Park wildfire near Livermore, Colo., on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. The fire already has destroyed at least 189 homes since it was sparked by lightning June 9. Incident commander Bill Hahnenberg said it could be weeks or even months before it's finally controlled. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski) (19 Jun 2012)
<<APPHOTO COEA112 (06/19/12)>>
APPHOTO COEA102: Fire crowns in the trees on the High Park wildfire near Livermore, Colo., on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. The wildfire has burned over 180 homes. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski) (19 Jun 2012)
<<APPHOTO COEA102 (06/19/12)>>
APPHOTO COEA104: A plume of smoke rises from the High Park wildfire near Livermore, Colo., on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. The wildfire has burned over 180 homes. The large blaze west of Fort Collins was 50 percent contained after firefighters labored in temperatures in the 90s to extend lines around the fire Monday. Expected strong winds didn't materialize, but gusts of around 30 mph were forecast Tuesday along with more hot, dry weather. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski) (19 Jun 2012)
<<APPHOTO COEA104 (06/19/12)>>
