LAPORTE, Colo. – Cool, wet weather Saturday helped firefighters trying to contain an 8,700-acre wildfire (search) that has burned for five days, and most of the scores of evacuated residents were being allowed to return home.
The state's first significant wildfire of the season has destroyed a house and a garage, and threatened other homes and outbuildings.
The fire west of Fort Collins (search) in northern Colorado was 30 percent contained Saturday afternoon. It began Tuesday when a yard fire got out of control.
"It's cooler and the humidity is higher," said Reghan McDaniel, a fire information officer. "Those two things can't put out a fire but they can help firefighters."
Authorities said residents of 120 homes would be allowed to return by Saturday night. Another 19 homes were still under evacuation.
About 400 firefighters were battling the wildfire. One was treated at a hospital for minor injuries and released, officials said.
Colorado, like much of the West, is stuck in a drought with little sign of relief.
Gov. Bill Owens declared a state emergency, clearing the way for up to $2.2 million in emergency funds.
In Florida, a 2,700-acre fire on the edge of the Everglades, 20 miles west of Miami, was still not contained Saturday. More than 150 people were evacuated from a fishing camp.
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