FORT
COLLINS, Colorado — People forced from their homes by a wildfire in the
foothills west of Fort Collins have been given the OK to return.Fire officials said that all evacuees could return as
of 8 p.m. Saturday, but warned that some should remain prepared to leave
again if necessary.The blaze had charred 750 to 1,000 acres and was 45 percent contained, officials said.It was spotted Friday morning and strong, erratic winds
helped push it through rugged terrain west of Horsetooth Reservoir,
near the scene of a large wildfire last summer that burned 259 homes and
killed one person.
Firefighters
attack to keep a line during the fire that started near Lory State Park
in Fort Collins, Colo. Friday March 15, 2013. The 40-acre wildfire
burning in gusty winds and warm weather was threatening homes west of
Fort Collins on Friday and prompted about 50 people to leave the area.
(AP Photo/The Coloradoan, V. Richard Haro)Calmer weather on Saturday allowed crews to gain the upper hand.Tony Simons with Larimer County Emergency Services said
cloud cover and higher relative humidity helped the more than 100
firefighters battling the blaze.No injuries were reported, and no structures were damaged.After the fire was spotted Friday, 860 phone lines
received automated calls ordering evacuations, but some addresses have
multiple lines and other numbers were cellphones, so the exact number of
homes in the evacuation area was not known. Officials said a second
round of 579 phone lines received the calls later that day.The fire, which authorities say was accidentally
sparked and was not the result of a prescribed burn, comes as much of
the state deals with drought conditions after a relatively dry winter.Colorado's wildfire season also started in March last year.
Firefighters
attack to keep a line during the fire that started near Lory State Park
in Fort Collins, Colo. Friday March 15, 2013. The 40-acre wildfire
burning in gusty winds and warm weather was threatening homes west of
Fort Collins on Friday and prompted about 50 people to leave the area.
(AP Photo/The Coloradoan, V. Richard Haro)Calmer weather on Saturday allowed crews to gain the upper hand.Tony Simons with Larimer County Emergency Services said
cloud cover and higher relative humidity helped the more than 100
firefighters battling the blaze.No injuries were reported, and no structures were damaged.After the fire was spotted Friday, 860 phone lines
received automated calls ordering evacuations, but some addresses have
multiple lines and other numbers were cellphones, so the exact number of
homes in the evacuation area was not known. Officials said a second
round of 579 phone lines received the calls later that day.The fire, which authorities say was accidentally
sparked and was not the result of a prescribed burn, comes as much of
the state deals with drought conditions after a relatively dry winter.Colorado's wildfire season also started in March last year.
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