The following is an MSNBC weather and natural-disaster news video. It is about the Waldo Canyon fires raging in the Colorado Springs, Colorado area. This video is a June 26, 2012 update of the wildfire situation. This story originally ran on the NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams.
The on-site reporter notes that this is the highest-priority wildfire among several currently burning in the Western states. Some fires are bigger, but the evacuations keep piling up from this Waldo Canyon blaze. It is now affecting the U.S. Air Force Academy, as well.
The numbers cited here were at least 1600 homes and 5000 evacuees. Note, however, that CNN is reporting that about 32,000 people have been forced to evacuate.
The intense nature of the wildfire is exacerbated by high temperatures. Sources vary, but this MSNBC video says temperatures are as high as 106 degrees. This, combined with low humidity, is making it more difficult to fight and contain this Colorado Springs/Waldo Canyon wildfire.
Mike Smaldino, a member of the Colorado Springs Fire Department, makes comments on this video.
C-130 military planes have joined the effort in Colorado Springs. They are dropping retardant to help control the blaze.
The Air Force Academy has now ordered a mandatory evacuation, and July 4th festivities have been cancelled.
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