AGUILAR, Colo., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Five homes in southern Colorado were destroyed and 100 others evacuated in the path of a wildfire that officials said was set by someone.
The blaze near Aguilar was reported Saturday afternoon, and some 60 firefighters have been fighting not only the fire, but weather conditions that fanned the flames and prevented air support.
Late Sunday, officials said the fire was 5 percent contained, the Rocky Mountain News reported.
"Right now we're using natural borders and roads as barriers," said fire information officer Ralph Bellah of the U.S Forest Service. "But you can't get in front of a fire with wind gusts of up to 25 mph, and 15 mph consistently."
He said the Las Animas County Sheriff's Department is investigating to determine how the fire started. Sheriff's and fire officials warned residents on Sunday they could face arrest if they try to return to their homes before it is deemed safe to do so.
