Navajo Wildfire Threatens Nearly 20 Homes

CRIPPLE CREEK, Colo. (AP/CBS4) -- Fire crews are battling at least five wildfires in southern Colorado, including the Navajo Fire in Teller County that's prompted authorities to warn residents of one subdivision to leave.

About 100 homes were asked to evacuate voluntarily from the Navajo Mountain subdivision because of the 50-acre fire, which is burning west of Cripple Creek, near County Road 11 and south of Wrights Reservoir. On Wednesday the Bear Trap Ranch subdivision was also on standby for possible evacuations.

Sheriff's officials said Thursday that 17 homes are threatened but none have been destroyed.

The Fourmile Community Church is serving as a temporary shelter for evacuees. The Pikes Peak Red Cross is helping feed people who have been forced from their homes.

Three other larger wildfires are burning in the more sparsely populated southeastern corner of the state. The largest is about 40 square miles and is burning on Fort Carson's Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, about 180 miles southeast of Denver, and is about 5 percent contained.

Another fire there is burning on about 6 square miles.

Fort Carson spokesman Randy Tisor said about a half dozen homes have been evacuated.

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