AP PHOTOS: Wildfires rage in Colorado and the West

From above, the destruction wrought by a raging Colorado wildfire becomes painfully clear: Rows and rows of homes — hundreds in all — reduced to smoldering ashes. Amid the devastation, there are hopeful signs: More than 120 soldiers using heavy equipment helped stop flames from advancing on the U.S. Air Force Academy and cooler weather could help slow the fire's spread.

The cause of the blaze remains unknown and local authorities said Thursday that conditions are too dangerous for any such investigation to begin.

The wildfire was one of many burning across the parched West, blazes that have destroyed structures and prompted evacuations in Montana and Utah and forced the closure of a portion of Zion National Park.

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Here is a gallery of photos from the wildfires.