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Wildfire In Estes Park Burns 24 Structures

ESTES PARK, Colo. (CBS4/AP) - Officials said Sunday evening that they've discovered two additional structures that burned in a wildfire near the mountain community of Estes Park.

The hot and dry weather helped fuel the blaze that sparked Saturday and has now destroyed 22 homes and two outbuildings.

Investigators were determining whether it started in a cabin or as a wildfire before moving toward the homes.

"Even though we lost 21 (structures), which is a huge tragedy, we saved many homes because of firefighters' efforts," Estes Park Fire Chief Scott Dorman told evacuees before knowing about the additional structures.

The fire that was reported around noon covered an estimated 27.3 acres. Officials said they hoped to have it 100 percent contained sometime Sunday night.

The fire did not enter Rocky Mountain National Park.

Officials expect to clear evacuees to return home sometime on Monday.

Estes Park Fire Map
(credit: CBS)

"The fire crew hit this fire hard and gained a lot of control but citizens should be aware that the fire is still burning and they need to be vigilant. Crews are doing mop-up operations and worked on hot spots throughout the night," Julie M. Berney with the Larimer County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Estes Park Light and Power is working on power lines and service to the evacuated area.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Wildfire Resources section.

- Read recent Wildfire stories.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

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

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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