Firefighters still struggling to keep Colorado wildfires under control

The wildfires roar nearly unchecked across much of Colorado, especially some of the most tourist visited areas.

Thousands have been displaced by the firefighters try to hold the flames back from hundreds of homes.

Denver Post reports some of the long list of cities greatly effected: Waldo Canyon Fire burning near Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Teller County officials warned residents east of U.S. 24 and north o the El Paso/Teller County, North Mountain Shadows and Peregrine.

“Waldo Canyon Fire behavior continues to change and be aggressive,” the officials pre-evacuation notice said.

The Gazette reported that the expanded pre-evacuation area included 7,000 people and about 2,500 homes.

Fire officials said Tuesday morning the Waldo Canyon Fire is now estimated to be 5,168 acres with 5 percent

Air tankers dropped fire retardant in the blaze’s path to slow its advance, while firefighters on the ground battled to protect hundreds of homes along a highway at the mountain’s edge including the upscale gated community of Cedar Heights. No homes were burned, although the fire consumed a wooden tent platform.

“We’re feeling pretty good that’s the only thing we’ve lost given this monster we are dealing with,” said Rob Deyerberg, a fire information officer.

“We’re going to be continuing to have to deal with these fires for weeks to come,” U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said. “We anticipate it’s going to be a long fire season.”

C-130s are being used to perform routine fire drops to tame the wildfires. Photo/SSGT ALEX KOENIG, USAF Air Force