Northern Colorado Wildfire Blamed On Lightning

Larimer County sheriff’s officials say lightning started a 227-acre wildfire that has damaged two outbuildings in northern Colorado.

The blaze was 45 percent contained Tuesday. Canon City inmates were among those joining a small air tanker and two helicopters fighting the blaze.

Sheriff’s officials say residents of 13 homes that were evacuated after the fire started Monday were being allowed to return at 6 p.m. Tuesday but should be ready to leave again if needed.

The fire is about 40 miles northwest of Fort Collins in rocky terrain north of where a camp stove ignited a wildfire last month.

In eastern Colorado, authorities think a cigarette thrown from a passing car may have ignited a 4-acre fire near Akron.

Meanwhile, a nearly 8-square-mile fire near Pagosa Springs is still smoldering.