The Chronicle Telegram in Elyria, Ohio

West wildfires force evacuations across Colorado and Utah

A fast moving brush fire near Moab Utah destroyed eight homes and prompted evacuations in Colorado and Wyoming as wildfires burn across the drought stricken U S West. In Moab Police Chief Jim Winder said investigators ruled out natural causes for the blaze that started Tuesday night near a creek used as a walkway. In Colorado the largest fire has burned about 43 square miles over nearly two weeks with about 180 homes no longer threatened but more than 1 900 still under threat and 1 300 residences evacuated.