At least two people have been killed so far in the Black Forest fire, El Paso County, Colorado Sheriff Terry Maketa said Thursday.
They were the first confirmed fatalities in the fire, which began Tuesday and pushed toward densely populated subdivisions of Colorado Springs on Thursday. Authorities issued mandatory evacuations for thousands of additional residents in Colorado Springs.
As thick smoke billowed over the region, parts of Interstate 25 were reduced to a near-standstill as people tried to flee. Firefighters focused efforts on trying to prevent the flames from jumping west across Highway 83, which could greatly expand the scope of the fire.
Authorities said the flames had not yet crossed Highway 83, but they said winds were blowing smoke in that direction and they were worried about the possibility of spot fires.
Two adult bodies have been recovered from the fire zone so far, Maketa said at an afternoon briefing. One of the victims had told others by phone that he was trying to leave the area, Maketa said. An investigation is underway. The bodies were found together in a garage with the car doors open, as if they were packing up the car and preparing to flee, Maketa said.
From The Willits News: https://www.willitsnews.com/ci_23455515/black-forest-fire-claims-360-homes-most-ever