Amid more wind, new burst for Colorado’s biggest fire

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — More strong wind Friday made the biggest wildfire in Colorado history even worse, keeping firefighting aircraft on the ground and forcing evacuations along a highway leading to Rocky Mountain National Park.

People along U.S. 34 in the scenic Big Thompson Canyon — an area ravaged by flooding that washed the road out in 2013 — were in imminent danger and should get out immediately, Larimer County authorities said.

The fire has also forced firefighters north and east of Rocky Mountain National Park to reposition for safety.

“We are seeing very active fire behavior right now and firefighters are adjusting accordingly,” Michelle Kelly said.