Situations in Colorado aren't getting any better as the Black Forest fire and the Royal Gorge fire continue to engulf much of the area.
For the past days, firefighters have been trying to contain the fires that have been consuming areas in the state of Colorado with little success as the Black Forest fires continue to spread out in Colorado Springs.
According to CNN, the fire has already scorched over 16,000 acres, burning down 360 homes and even causing the death of two people.
El Paso County Sherriff Terry Maketa said the two victims were still able to talk to witnesses Thursday afternoon before being consumed by fire.
"They said that they could see a glow to the west. They were packing their personal belongings, trying to get out," Maketa said.
The report also noted that the evacuation parameters have already been expanded to 93,000 acres from the fire. This has forced over 38,000 people to evacuate over 13,000 homes. The wildfire has also burned through 15,700 acres of land-almost double the reported acreage reported last Wednesday.
"The fire is very, very active within the containment area, and we don't have a high level of confidence at all that we'll be able to hold all of these lines around this fire," County spokesman Dave Rose told CNN, adding that this could be the most destructive fire in the state's history.
On the other hand, the Royal Gorge Park fire is slowly being contained. According to CBS Denver, all evacuation warnings have already been lifted in connection with the Canon City fire. The wildfire which started last Tuesday has forced over 250 people to evacuate.
However, while 20% of the fire has already been contained by Thursday evening, it had already damaged much of the park.
The fire has consumed over 3,162 acres and 20 building structures, including parts of the park pushing authorities to close it until restored.
"One of the structures that was burned on that south rim was the Barbecue Plaza eating area," Tarcy Harmon, a local resident, told CBS.
The famous Royal Gorge Bridge, a tourist attraction in the area, has also been damaged by the fire.
Known as the highest suspended bridge in the U.S. Suspended 956 feet above the Arkansas River, it is also the eighth highest in the world.
As of Thursday evening, reports have circulated on social media that the bridge is now destroyed, including its tram system.
However, as for Highway 50, it has already been open to the public at 8 p.m.
INTERACTIVE MAP
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