"People Return To Charred Cities After Colorado Wildfires"

"Residents began returning to charred areas of Colorado Springs on Sunday after the most destructive wildfire in Colorado's history forced tens of thousands of people from their homes and left the landscape a blackened wasteland."

"Bears and burglars posed further danger to home owners who headed back to towns and cities after the fire, which killed two people.

The so-called Waldo Canyon Fire has scorched 17,659 acres, burned 346 homes and devastated communities around Colorado Springs, the state's second-largest city, since it began eight days ago.

Governor John Hickenlooper said he believed the worst was over and almost all of the blazes around Colorado were under control."

Adrees Latif reports for Reuters July 2, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"Colorado Wildfires: Public Policies Add To Danger" (Denver Post)

"Monotony of Shelter Life for Wildfire Evacuees" (AP)

"'Unreal': Residents Tour Colo. Blaze Devastation" (AP)

"Obama Visits Colorado as Firefighting Progresses" (New York Times)

"Forest Service Ecologist Expects California 'Super Fires'" (Sacramento Bee)

"New Report: Climate Change Shares Blame in Wildfires" (Salt Lake Tribune)