Record heat stokes Colorado fires
RAW VISION: Colorado endures nearly a week extreme heat and low humidity, sapping moisture from timber and grass, creating punishing conditions for firefighters.
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Fanned by strong winds and high temperatures a wildfire in the US state of Colorado is burning out of control and threatening the town of Colorado Springs where 32,000 people have been forced to evacuate.
The Denver Post reported that numerous houses were engulfed in flames on Tuesday night as the fire spread over heavily wooded areas despite the efforts of more than 700 firefighters and numerous aircraft dropping bright orange flame retardant.
Witnesses on Twitter described local highways clogged with fleeing refugees and describing the scene as "an apocalypse" and "terrifying", posting photos of the city wrapped in a sinister orange and black cloud.
"An apocalypse" ... a helicopter tries to put out a fire as it moves towards Colorado Springs. Photo: AP
According to officials at the National Interagency Fire Centre, the so-called Waldo Canyon blaze covered more than 25,000 hectares and was just five per cent contained.
Colorado has been hard hit by wildfires in recent days as it is also battling the worst wildfire in a decade, the High Park fire, which has burnt some 336 sq/km and is 55 per cent contained.
DPA