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Colorado firefighters race against weather

CONIFER, Colo. (AP) -- Firefighters trying to contain the last section of a wildfire southwest of Denver today may find themselves working against the weather with a forecast calling for warming temperatures and building winds.

Crews are trying to build a final 3.5 miles of containment lines.

Jefferson County has tightened its fire restrictions to temporarily ban anything producing an open flame.

So far, firefighters have contained about 70 percent of the 6-square-mile wildfire, which was apparently sparked by a state controlled burn that reignited Monday in strong winds. The fire damaged or destroyed at least 25 homes, and residents of about 180 homes remain evacuated.

Authorities say they're also concerned about an automated warning system which may have made no attempt to reach some people registered to get the telephone alerts.

Rescuers are still searching for one missing person and a memorial service was held yesterday for two people found dead.


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