A massive wildfire working overtime in hot, windy weather was headed toward a tourist town in Colorado's southwestern mountains

Massive wildfire headed toward Colo. mountain town

Updated 11:13 am, Friday, June 21, 2013

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  The smoke plume from the East Peak fire billows up behind a home on County Road 360, Thursday, June 20, 2013 in La Veta, Colo. Firefighters attacked dozens of blazes in Western states where hot and windy conditions persisted Thursday, including two blazes that forced hundreds of people out of their homes in Colorado. Photo: The Pueblo Chieftain, Bryan Kelsen
   
   

SOUTH FORK, Colo. (AP) — A massive wildfire working overtime in hot, windy weather was headed toward a tourist town in Colorado's southwestern mountains on Friday, and fire managers rate the chances of saving it as slim if the fire continues its course.

In this Thursday, June 20, 2013 photo provided by the U.S. Forest Service, wildfires fires approach the town of South Fork, Colo. The town of about 400 people was evacuated Friday morning, June 21, 2013.
Photo: Penny Bertram, Associated Press

 

South Fork, home to about 400 full-time residents, was evacuated as the 47-square-mile acre West Fork Fire moved closer. Wildland firefighters were teaming up with local firefighters to try to save the town, which is surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest.

In this Thursday, June 20, 2013 photo provided by the U.S. Forest Service, wildfires fires approach the town of South Fork, Colo. The town of about 400 people was evacuated Friday morning, June 21, 2013. (AP Photo/U.S. Forest Service, Penny Bertram) Photo: Penny Bertram, Associated Press

 

Fire spokesman Penny Bertram said officials rate the chances of saving the town of about 400 full-time residents as "low to moderate."



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