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PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo.—Two backcountry fires started by lightning earlier this month in southwestern Colorado are growing and producing lots of smoke.
The largest, the West Fork Fire, is burning on nearly 20 square miles. Hot and windy conditions have also pushed the Windy Pass Fire to 700 acres and within a quarter-mile of structures on the south side of the Wolf Creek Ski Area.
With the winds, emergency managers were evacuating an area from the top of Wolf Creek Pass along U.S. 160 to the city limits of South Fork, not including the city itself, on Thursday night.
Both fires have been fueled by large swaths of beetle-killed trees.
Fire spokeswoman Anne Jeffery says crews are working to keep flames away from the ski resort.
