Photos: Devastating Colorado Wildfires

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High Park Fire

High Park fire in the trees.

(Image credit: Poudre Fire Authority)

In this photograph uploaded to the Poudre Fire Authority's Facebook page on June 18, the High Park fire near Fort Collins, Colo., sets pine trees ablaze. As of June 28, the High Park fire had burned more than 87,000 acres and was 75 percent contained.

Smoke in the Sky

View of the High Park Fire beginning

(Image credit: Stephanie Pappas, LiveScience)

A lightning strike sparked the High Park fire on the morning of June 9, 2012. This photo was taken about six hours after the fire began from Mount Parnassus approximately 60 miles (97 km) south of the fire.

High Park Fire

photo of the High Park Fire in Colorado taken June 10, 2012.

(Image credit: Brian Emory)

"There's quite a fire burning west of Fort Collins, Colorado. It created some pretty spectacular views as the setting sun shone through the clouds and smoke," Brian Emory who took this shot of the High Park Fire on June 10, 2012, wrote on his Flickr page.

Fiery Sunset

photo of the High Park Fire in Colorado taken June 10, 2012.

(Image credit: Brian Emory)

The High Park Fire continues to burn areas west of Fort Collins, Colo., shown here in a June 11, 2012, photo taken by Brian Emory. "The Colorado wildfire continues to make for some amazing sunsets," he writes on his Flickr page.

Smoke-Filled Sunsets

photo of the High Park Fire in Colorado taken June 10, 2012.

(Image credit: Brian Emory)

"Another Colorado night, another great sunset thanks to the High Park fire," Brian Emory writes on his Flickr page. "I really love how the smoke shields the sky from the sun causing a distinct break in the blue. I took this at Riverbend Ponds Natural Area in Fort Collins," on June 22, 2012.

Raging Wildfires

photo of the High Park Fire in Colorado taken June 10, 2012.

(Image credit: Brian Emory)

Brian Emory captured a gorgeous sunset on June 17, 2012, at the Horsetooth Reservoir west of Fort Collins, Colo., where wildfires continue to rage.

Burning Tree

Tree burning in High Park Fire

(Image credit: Poudre Fire Authority)

A tree goes up like a torch during the High Park fire near Fort Collins, Colo.

Firefighter in the Flames

Firefighter working at the High Park Fire.

(Image credit: Poudre Fire Authority)

A firefighter works to contain the High Park fire west of Fort Collins.

Waldo Canyon Fire

Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs

(Image credit: U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

Smoke chokes the air outside of Colorado Springs, Colo., in this June 26, 2012 image of the Waldo Canyon Fire.

Waldo Canyon Smoke

Smoke cloud over U.S. Air Force Academy

(Image credit: U.S. Air Force Photo/ Mike Kaplan)

An ominous smoke cloud blows across the U.S. Air Force Academy's airfield in Colorado Springs, Colo. on June 26, 2012.

Fire in the Night

Waldo Canyon Fire at night

(Image credit: U.S. Air Force Photo/ Mike Kaplan)

The Waldo Canyon fire burns into the night on June 26. By June 28, at least 300 homes had been destroyed.

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Live Science Staff
Live Science Staff
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