32,000 evacuated in fast-moving Colorado Springs wildfire

13:33, 27 June 2012

DENVER. June 27. KAZINFORM A wind-fueled wildfire of epic proportions breached fire lines Tuesday and entered Colorado Springs, Colorado, bringing to at least 32,000 the number of people evacuated in the area and at the U.S. Air Force Academy, authorities said, Kazinform has learned from CNN.

"The fire conditions could not be worse," said Anne Rys-Sikora, spokeswoman for a multiagency fire response team. "It is like a convection oven out there."

Residents of the North Mountain Shadows and Peregrine communities in Colorado Springs were ordered to leave their homes, authorities said.

Multiple structures in North Mountain Shadows were being affected by the Waldo Canyon Fire, officials said Tuesday night.

Colorado Springs set a record high of 101 on Tuesday as firefighters contended with brutal conditions, including ash falling on highways and neighborhoods. Officials rushed in crews and aerial equipment in a bid to slow the fire.

The 6,200-acre fire remained only 5% contained. Officials labeled it as exhibiting "extreme fire behavior."

A grim weather forecast for the rest of the week left residents concerned.

"The fire is moving," said Rys-Sikora.

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