About 5,000 people have been evacuated in southern Colorado due to raging forest fires sparked by lightning.
Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze which has so far consumed 3,200ha in the San Isabel National Forest about 100 miles south of Denver. Trees affected include Ponderosa pine and scrub oak.
State governor Bill Owens has declared a state of emergency in the area, while firefighting costs have already topped US$1m.
