Wildfires

Wildfires burn out of control in Colorado

A fire has destroyed 92 homes and forced more than 7000 residents to flee in Colorado in the US. The wildfire, fuelled by hot temperatures, gusty winds and bone-dry forests has destroyed 92 homes and prompted more than 7000 residents northeast of Colorado Springs to flee.

A separate Colorado wildfire to the south has destroyed 20 structures, including some in Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, and prompted evacuations of about 250 residents and nearly 1000 inmates at a medium-security prison.

To the north, another fire burned in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Wildfires also were burning in New Mexico, Oregon and California, where a smokejumper was killed fighting one of dozens of lightning-sparked fires.

Crews were so busy battling blazes across the West that the US Forest Service said on Wednesday it was mobilising a pair of Defense Department cargo planes to help - a step taken only when all of the Forest Service's contracted tankers already are in use.