El Paso County Wildland Fire Suppression Team official Nancy Kittridge said nearly 50 homes in the area were evacuated and evacuation notices were sent to hundreds more as the blaze spread Saturday, the Colorado Springs (Colo.) Gazette reported.

The blaze consumed large portions of the county's eastern plains, pushed along by strong winds that reached up to 38 mph.

At least two structures were damaged by the wildfire before it was contained and an elderly couple was rescued from their home by sheriff's deputies, the Gazette said.

The newspaper said fire crews had the blaze under control by Saturday evening, and were working to eliminate remaining hot spots.