Tens of thousands evacuated, hundreds of homes destroyed in late-season wind-blown wildfires outside Denver

Denver — Tens of thousands of residents were forced to evacuate their homes outside Denver Thursday as wildfires fueled by hurricane force winds gusting up to 105 mph engulfed parts of three cities.

Nearly 600 homes were destroyed by one of them-- the #MarshallFire -- along with a hotel, shopping center and other businesses, CBS Denver reports. The fire had burned 1,600 acres and was still growing Thursday night, the station said.

It pointed out that the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history was the Black Forest Fire, which chewed up more than 14,280 acres and destroyed 511 homes in 2013.