Wreaking havoc

Forest afire in Colorado In a glaring case of carelessness sparking a calamity, campfires turned into billowing blazes that spread to five Colorado counties and scorched more than 25 hectares across the state. The wildfires raged with such intensity that these counties had to be completely sealed off. The inferno destroyed 3,700 homes and 20 commercial structures, forcing the evacuation of residents and visitors. Colorado also banned public use of fire on all federal lands throughout the state's borders. Many of Colorado's national forests were closed to public use for the first time.