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Part Of De Beque Evacuates As Wildfire Spreads

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP/CBS4) -- An erratic wildfire gaining steam in western Colorado has prompted officials to evacuate homes in the southern part of De Beque.

The 10,000 acre wildfire is called the Pine Ridge Fire. It was threatening to cross Interstate 70 Thursday night. A 13-mile stretch of the highway northeast of Palisade is closed.

Bureau of Land Management spokesman Christopher Joyner says the fire is threatening several structures, including homes. It was sparked by lightning Wednesday.

In northern Colorado, about 1,900 people who were displaced by a deadly wildfire are returning home. The High Park fire has killed one person and destroyed 257 homes. U.S. Forest Service spokesman Steve Segin says fire managers hope to have the fire fully contained by this weekend.

In Boulder County, residents of 28 homes have been allowed to return home.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Wildfire Resources section.

- Read recent Wildfire stories.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfire (Fourmile Fire) and largest wildfire (Hayman Fire) in Colorado history.

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