By Gabriela Vidal, Jack Lowenstein, Jesse Sarles | CBS Colorado
The has grown significantly and forced new evacuations. Southern Colorado authorities said the wildfire, which has destroyed more than 180 structures — including an unknown number of homes — has burned 55,405 acres since it began on Monday.
The fire is the largest in the region currently and is burning in Pueblo and Custer counties. It’s the country’s No. 1 firefighting priority, officials said in a news conference on Wednesday. There have been strong, sustained winds in the area, and no meaningful moisture in the forecast, which caused further growth throughout the day on Thursday.
“It breaks my heart every day, just seeing it grow and grow, and there’s nothing you can do about it either,” said Sady Stinchcomb, of Three Sisters Tavern & Grill in nearby Colorado City.
Evacuated areas include Buelah, Rye and San Isabel. Evacuations increased to the north and south of the fire on Wednesday. Southern Fremont County, to the north of the fire, is also now included in the pre-evacuation area.
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