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FRANKTOWN, Colo.—Authorities say a wildfire burning in an outlying Denver suburb has forced the evacuation of about 8,500 houses.
They have ordered evacuations for homes within a 4-mile radius of the fire near Franktown, which is about 35 miles southeast of Denver.
The fire started on 4 acres Thursday afternoon in a wooded area and is being driven by winds of 30 mph and stronger.
Smoke from the blaze is visible from south Denver suburbs and a helicopter is dropping water.
A Red Cross evacuation point has been set up at the Douglas County fairgrounds.
Crews are also still trying to contain a roughly 2-square-mile wildfire in the foothills west of Golden. The area on the east side of the Rockies is at high fire danger.
