Friday, June 22, 2012

Firefighters working to encircle a wildfire burning over 68,000 acres in northern Colorado are being challenged today by the return of hot and windy weather.

A red flag warning is in effect for much of Colorado, as well as Utah and parts of Wyoming, Arizona and Nevada.

The dangerous conditions could last through the weekend in Colorado, where the fire west of Fort Collins has now destroyed 191 homes. It's also being blamed for the death of a woman found dead at her ranch.

Conditions are so dry that sparks from bullets hitting targets can ignite wildfires.

Authorities are investigating whether recreational shooting sparked the fire near Lake George.

In New Mexico, the fire that has destroyed 242 homes and businesses in the Gila (HEE'-luh) Wilderness is 80 percent contained

A wildfire that has charred nearly 12,000 acres of rugged terrain in northeast Nevada is 60 percent contained.

There's good news in California, as residents have been allowed to return to homes and cabins near a 385-acre fire near Sequoia National Park. That blaze has been fully contained.