Three major wildfires are ravaging Colorado, forcing the evacuation of thousands including a prison, and threatening a world record bridge.
The first fire, over 300 acres, is burning near the Royal Gorge Bridge over the Colorado River. The bridge is the highest suspension bridge in the world at 956 feet. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from the area and the park surrounding the bridge area.
A second fire is burning north of Colorado Springs and is rushing through the Cathedral Pines neighborhood, destroying million dollar homes. The area is close to the Waldo Canyon area which was destroyed by a fire last year killing two and burning almost 350 homes. Authorities report no deaths so far from this year’s fire.
A prison south-west of Colorado Springs has been evacuated due to smoke. The fire has not reached the prison but has burned some nearby buildings. 900 low and medium security inmates were moved to other jails while sick inmates were taken to an infirmary in Denver.
The third fire is burning in the northern Rocky Mountain National Park and is believed to have been caused by lightning.
Smoke from the fires has been reported from 70 miles away including in Denver.
