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Tuesday, Jun 19, 2012 9:45 AM UTC

Colorado wildfire now 50 percent contained

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Topics: From the Wires,

Colorado wildfire now 50 percent containedA house is surrounded by burned grass as a result of the High Park wildfire near Bellvue, Colo., on Monday, June 18, 2012. The wildfire has burned over 180 homes. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)(Credit: AP)

LOVELAND, Colo. (AP) — Authorities say a wildfire that has charred nearly 92 square miles in northern Colorado since it began 10 days ago is now 50 percent contained.

Firefighters faced dangerous conditions across much of the Rocky Mountain region Monday, as they toiled in hot, dry weather to battle a blaze that has now destroyed at least 189 homes — the most in the state’s history.

Authorities determined Monday that eight more homes had burned in the fire near Fort Collins.

Fire information officer Brett Haberstick says winds were relatively calm Monday, despite forecasts of gusts of up to 50 mph. But temperatures were in the mid-90s, and the relative humidity was extremely low at 3 to 5 percent.

Investigators say lightning started the blaze on June 9.

More P. Solomon Banda.

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