CO fire destroys dozen homes; others evacuated

WETMORE, Colo. (AP) -- A 1,700-acre wind-fueled wildfire that forced the evacuation of a small southern Colorado town has destroyed at least 12 houses.

Fire spokesman Ralph Bellah said the count could go up after a survey of the damage Wednesday near Wetmore. Authorities plan to meet with some of the approximately 380 residents evacuated by the fire and notify those who lost homes.

The wildfire broke out Tuesday and quickly spread in winds gusting up to 79 mph. The fire continued to spread through the night, forcing authorities to go door-to-door to evacuate seven homes in neighboring Pueblo County.

The cause is still officially under investigation, but wind may be to blame. Custer County Sheriff Fred Jobe told The Denver Post that colliding power lines apparently created sparks that ignited dry brush.