/ Courtesy: Marvin Seiberg
MANITOU SPRINGS, COLO. -- El Paso County Sheriff's deputies have lifted an evacuation order for the foothills town of Manitou Springs as of 8 p.m. Sunday.
The lively community of about 5,200 residents looked like a ghost town for much of Sunday after officials ordered an evacuation due to the threat of the Waldo Canyon Fire spreading.
The fire was last estimated at 2,500 acres, though officials said it could be much larger than that when the next infra red estimate is taken late Sunday night.
About 450 firefighters are battling the fire, which started Sunday in Waldo Canyon and quickly grew thanks in large part to hot, dry and windy conditions.
Firefighters have not been able to contain the fire yet due to difficult terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.
Mandatory evacuations remain in place for Cedar Heights, Mountain Shadows south of Chuck Wagon Road, Cascade, Green Mountain Falls and Chipita Park. About 11,000 people were evacuated, though that number is expected to drop significantly once Manitou residents return home Sunday night.
Federal government resources are expected to arrive Monday, including two additional air tankers and out-of-state firefighters.
Colorado Springs hit 100 degrees both Saturday and Sunday. Since 1890, the city has seen triple digit temperatures only four other days.
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