As the fires died down near Colorado Springs in a disaster that was the most destructive blaze in the state’s history near some of Colorado’s most popular tourist attractions, observers speculated on its potential impact.
Of the most immediate concern was the fate of 35,000 people who were evacuated from the state’s second-largest city after several days of fires that incinerated 346 homes.
"In some areas…it looked like a nuclear weapon had been dropped," said Colorado springs Mayor Steve Bach. "It’s as close to Hell as I could imagine."
Fires around the state forced thousands of residents to take refuge in Red Cross shelters, where many reported "warm generosity" by residents amid "hot surroundings" as much of the state continued with unseasonably hot weather. US President Barack Obama is visiting the area and pledges federal help for residents.
Popular tourist attractions in Colorado Springs include the US Air Force Academy campus, Garden of the Gods, and Pike’s Peak, the cog railway where trains and highways were shut down for several days.
"The closures around Pikes Peak, billed as the world’s second-most visited mountain after Japan’s Mount Fuji, have drawn attention to the fire’s negative impact on the tourism industry just at the start of the peak summer travel season," said the Chicago Tribune.
Other wildfires continued to burn around the unusually hot and sometimes rain-parched state of Colorado. "We’re going to be continuing to have to deal with these fires for weeks to come," said US Forest Chief Tom Tidwell.
The origin of the blaze is under investigation. "Drought and winds have fueled fires across the western US," said Bloomberg News.
By David Wilkening
