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Lighter Winds Help Slow Down Massive SW Colorado Fire

DEL NORTE, Colo. (AP) — The massive wildfire burning in southwestern Colorado is finally slowing down a bit.

The West Fork fire complex was burning on 127 square miles on Wednesday, 3 square miles more than the day before, thanks to diminished winds.

The fire has forced the evacuation of the tourist town of South Fork. Nearby Creede is still open for business but traffic is being escorted along part of the road into town, Highway 149.

Firefighters are working to improve the bulldozer trenches built to protect South Fork and to protect homes along Highway 149.

The decreased winds have diminished the immediate threat to the Wolf Creek Ski Area and fire crews may now be able to put some fire line and slurry to protect it.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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