Obama Tours Colorado Wildfire Damage

He tours Colorado Springs neighborhood
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 29, 2012 4:05 PM CDT
Obama Tours Colorado Wildfire Damage
President Obama visits volunteers and evacuees at an evacuation center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.   (Getty Images)

President Obama toured some of the areas devastated by Colorado's wildfires today, issuing a declaration that frees up federal funds for the state. He also thanked firefighters and other emergency workers, saying: "The country is grateful for your work. The country's got your back." Firefighters, meanwhile, went from one smoldering pile to another in search of bodies in the nearly 350 homes burned to the ground by the most destructive wildfire in state history.

As crews on the front lines made slow but steady progress against the flames, Colorado Springs Police Chief Pete Carey said fewer than 10 people altogether were unaccounted for. The remains of one person were found yesterday in what was left standing of one home, and a second person who lived there was missing. The 26-square-mile blaze was reported to be 15% contained, and authorities began lifting some of the evacuation orders for the more than 30,000 people who fled their homes a few days ago. (More Colorado wildfires stories.)

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