Thousands evacuated as Colorado wildfire growsBy Ed Payne, CNN
Colorado wildfire grows to 7,100 acres
Gov. Bill Ritter declares a state of emergency
Damage information about individual homes is hard to come by, an evacuee said
Helicopters are dropping thousands of gallons of retardant on the fire
(CNN) -- A 7,100-acre wildfire burned out of control west of Boulder, Colorado, on Wednesday, threatening hundreds of homes, forcing the evacuation of thousands and pressing additional fire crews into action, authorities said.
"We do have 92 structures that have been destroyed and eight that have been damaged," said Rick Brough, a commander with the Boulder County sheriff's office, who added that flames have spread throughout the Fourmile Canyon area west of Boulder.
After an anxious day, evacuee Paul Gatza of Sunshine, Colorado, learned late Tuesday that his house had been spared.
"Fortunately, we just got visual confirmation ... that we're still standing for one more night, and [Wednesday] will be another new, long day," Gatza said. "It's a matter of trying to gain little pieces of information from firefighters and firefighters' spouses, and whoever else we can get reliable news from."
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter declared a state of emergency Tuesday as the size of the wildfire more than doubled.
Video: Fire forces 3,000 to flee
Video: Plan set to tackle Colorado blaze
RELATED TOPICS
Wildfires
Boulder (Colorado)
Ritter said the state was throwing $5 million into the battle to save homes and forests in the canyon.
Are you affected by wildfires? Let us know with CNN iReport
"It is important right now for people who've been evacuated to just be patient," Ritter said after a tour of the area. "This is a very volatile situation, it would be fair to say. There is a fire line. They are doing all they can to contain the fire line. At the same time, there are a fair number of embers that are also starting smaller fires."
Ritter said he saw "entire hillsides" burned by the flames, along with numerous structures.
"It's not safe for people to return to their homes, because as we drove up there, you go from a place that is relatively safe, and then suddenly, you'd see a spot fire burning on the side of the road," he said.
Boulder County Sheriff Bob Pelle accompanied the governor on his tour of the area and said the fire had "literally exhausted our local resources and management team."
"But we have a good and healthy amount of people in place now learning everything they need to know about the fire," he said.
The men and women battling the fires on the ground have gotten a boost from the skies. Tankers and other aircraft that were grounded most of the day Monday by 40 mph winds were in the air early Tuesday as the winds diminished.
More than 200 firefighters, from at least 35 local, regional and national agencies are working to contain the fire, according to the Boulder Office of Emergency Management.
Eight air tankers and three helicopters dropped more than 90,000 gallons of retardant on the fire Tuesday.
The sheriff said his department was investigating a report that the fire may have started when a car hit and ruptured a propane tank.
"That's the best information I have right now, but that's part of what that investigative team is doing for me today is trying to lock all that down and confirm it," he said.
Pelle said that authorities had evacuated 70 subdivisions and made nearly 8,000 notifications. No injuries have been reported.
The fires mean no classes Wednesday for some students who attend mountain schools in the Boulder Valley School District.
"Gold Hill and Jamestown Elementary Schools will remain closed on Wednesday," the district's website said.
Excel Energy said Tuesday evening that about 2,000 customers were without power because of the fire.
