More evacuations ordered for 416 Fire in southern Colorado

Authorities in the southwestern Colorado county of La Plata have ordered residents to evacuate another 304 homes as firefighters battle a wildfire north of Durango.

County officials issued the order Friday for residents living along U.S. Highway 550 north of the fire near the town of Hermosa, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of Durango.

Residents have until 4 p.m. to leave the area so firefighters can check the advance of the northeast flank of the fire.

Nearly 675 firefighters backed by air support are attacking the 11-square-mile (29-square-kilometer) blaze, which already had forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 homes. No homes have been reported destroyed.

The fire started June 1 and is 10 percent contained. Its cause is unknown.

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10:55 a.m.

Hot and windy weather is expected in southwestern Colorado as crews try to contain a wildfire that prompted evacuations of more than 1,000 homes.

Authorities said Friday the fire north of Durango had grown to about 11 square miles (29 square kilometers).No homes have burned but fire managers have said the flames could reach the small town of Hermosa Friday. Residents of about 500 Hermosa homes have been told to evacuate.

The fire started June 1 about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Durango. The cause hasn’t been determined.

The blaze was 10 percent contained on Friday, and full containment isn’t expected until June 30. Nearly 700 firefighters are on scene.

Durango is near the center of an extreme drought in the Southwestern U.S.