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More Residents Return Near Black Forest Fire

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — More residents near the Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs are returning home, while investigators continue efforts to find out what started the most damaging wildfire in state history.

More evacuations were lifted Tuesday morning in El Paso County. Several hundred people were expected to be allowed home, while firefighters continued tackling hot spots in the blaze that started one week ago.

The number of homes lost is now 502, and that number is expected to increase. The wildfire has charred more than 22 square miles and is 85 percent contained.

Residents in the area where the fire started were to be briefly allowed in to survey damage Tuesday afternoon. Authorities don't believe natural causes are to blame but haven't elaborated on a possible cause.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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