COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - One of Colorado's newest wildfires is proving to be hard to contain. It has grown to more than 6 square miles since it erupted Saturday.
The fire near Colorado Springs prompted evacuation orders for 11,000 residents and an unknown number of tourists. Those orders were later lifted for the 5,000 residents of nearby Manitou Springs.
Colorado is having its worst wildfire season in a decade, with more than a half dozen forest fires burning across the dry terrain. Some hotels and campgrounds are emptying out, a week ahead of the busy Fourth of July holiday.
No homes have been reported damaged in the fire near Colorado springs. But a fire near Rocky Mountain National Park has destroyed structures near the mountain community of Estes Park.
Clouds of smoke have been blowing toward the 102-year-old Stanley Hotel -- the one that inspired Stephen King to write "The Shining." Firefighters have been battling with windy, hot conditions as they battle wildfires in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
The Associated Press