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Trio of Colorado wildfires burn amid dry conditions
Authorities in Colorado are fighting a trio of wildfires in hot, dry conditions, including one threatening the world's highest suspension bridge.
A fire crew is combating a 300-acre (121-hectare) blaze near Royal Gorge Bridge on the Arkansas River.
Meanwhile, several large homes have already been engulfed in a separate fire north of Colorado Springs.
A third fire, sparked by lightning, was burning further north in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The blaze was sending out large plumes of smoke in the park's western end.
Officials have closed the park around Royal Gorge Bridge, the world's highest suspension bridge at 956ft (291m), and parts of a nearby highway.
Hundreds of people were evacuated from the park.
Dangerous conditions
A local newspaper reported that as of 18:00 local time on Tuesday (0:00 GMT on Wednesday), the bridge itself was threatened by the blaze. Tourist structures on either side of the Arkansas River were reportedly already damaged.
Amid hot, dry and windy conditions, weather officials have issued a wildfire warning covering southern Colorado.
In the Black Forest area north of Colorado Springs, officials ordered residents to evacuate as the fire raged through the Cathedral Pines neighbourhood, where some home values topped $1m (£639,000).
"To protect life is certainly the ultimate priority here," Lt Jeff Kramer said.
But no injuries have been reported so far, Lt Kramer said. He added it was too early to say what caused the wildfire.
The Colorado Springs fire department described the fire as "aggressive" and "moving quickly". The nearby US Air Force Academy was among those sending resources on the ground to fight the blaze.
A thick plume of grey smoke could be seen from Denver, about 65 miles (104km) to the north.
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