A wildfire burning southwest of Denver has forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and destroyed more than 160 structures by Friday as erratic winds pushed the blaze across two Colorado counties.

Dozens of wildfires are raging across the West, burning homes and National Forest lands and forcing the evacuations of entire towns.

The Aspen Acres Fire has destroyed 55 homes in Custer County and more than 100 structures in Pueblo County.