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'We Were So Lucky': Fire Charged Up Hill Endangering Homes

By Matt Kroschel

EDWARDS, Colo. (CBS4) - Flames raced up a hillside coming close to several homes in Edwards on Sunday.

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(credit: Greater Eagle Fire)

Strong wind speeds only fueled the fire and it grew in intensity on Monday. A wave of burn bans and red flag warnings were put in place.

Andrew Geenen was inside his family home when he heard sirens and saw smoke.

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(credit: CBS)

"It happened so fast - couldn't believe it," he told CBS4.

Geenen helped get a water hose to firefighters before being evacuated as the fire hit the property line.

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(credit: CBS)

"We were so lucky. It was crazy wind," he said.

Another fire in Chaffee County forced evacuations near Buena Vista Sunday. Firefighters were able to get that one under control before any structures were lost.

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(credit: CBS)

The recent fire activity proves to be a forewarning for what the summer could hold. Hot, dry and windy are three key words that any firefighter will tell you means trouble.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Living With Wildfire section.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile), the deadliest (Storm King) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.

LINK: Ready For Wildfire Action Plan

Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.

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