Firefighters faced dangerous conditions across much of the Rocky Mountain region Monday, as they toiled in hot, dry weather to battle a blaze that has now destroyed at least 189 homes -- the most in the state's history.
Authorities determined Monday that eight more homes had burned in the fire near Fort Collins.
Fire information officer Brett Haberstick says winds were relatively calm Monday, despite forecasts of gusts of up to 50 mph. But temperatures were in the mid-90s, and the relative humidity was extremely low at 3 to 5 percent.
Investigators say lightning started the blaze on June 9.
