Officials say crews contain about half of wildfire that’s destroyed 169 homes in Colorado

Crews contain about half of Colorado wildfire

BOULDER, Colo. — A wildfire in Colorado that destroyed at least 169 homes and drove thousands of people from their homes near Boulder is roughly 50 percent contained.

Fire officials said late Friday the high winds that prompted Boulder authorities to warn residents in some parts of the city to be ready to flee have died down. Firefighters have dug containment lines around 56 percent of the fire, up from about 30 percent earlier in the day.

Authorities hope the fire can be fully contained in the next three to five days.

About 2,000 people were cleared to return to their home Friday, but at least 1,000 are still waiting. Their homes are in areas scorched by the 10-square-mile that started Monday.

The fire’s cause is under investigation.