Gov. Bill Ritter on Wednesday toured the areas burned by the nearly 9,000-acre fire and offered his condolences to the family of two Olney Springs firefighters killed in the line of duty.

“That’s all we got out – our kids,” Staci Buford said as she stood next the ashes of where her home once stood. Staci said she had heard the fire was headed their way. “I looked out the window and I screamed to Riley that it was here,” Staci said. Riley said he looked out the window and within a minute, the house was engulfed in flames.

At least two people were reported dead after the more than 6,500-acre fire that raged through Crowley County on Tuesday and forced officials to evacuate the town of Ordway.

Homes and structures burn, at least two people die.

La Junta Fire Chief said there is enough evidence to indicate arson.

Smoke pours from a residence on West Fourth Street in La Junta, Colo., between Lincoln and Carson Avenues. One person is detained under suspicion of arson.

Raton has filed a lawsuit against the Arkansas River Power Authority.

Borrowing a horse, finding a hazer and making last-minute travel arrangements proved very profitable for PRCA cowboy K.C. Jones, formerly of Las Animas. K.C. was given a last-minute invitation to compete in the 22nd Annual Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo held March 19-22, in Pocatello, Idaho. Jones cashed in on the opportunity and won the title of National Steer Wrestling Champion with prizes that included a trophy belt buckle, cash totaling $11,871 and the keys to a 2008 Dodge truck to be used for a year.

At the present time, two-thirds of the bulls are gaining four pounds or more per day.  As a group, the seven Hereford bulls, owned by Roderick Polled Herefords from Lindon are the highest gaining group at 4.23 pounds per day.  The second highest group are the two Braunvieh bulls owned by Yellowrose Farms, Granada, gaining 4.18 pounds per day.

About 100 people attended a groundbreaking ceremony at May Valley, where LiquidMaize will build an ethanol plant. It is the first "short haul" plant to be build by LiquidMaize, which will sell the wet distillers grain (WDG) by-product to an adjacent cattle feedyard. Semi-trucks which usually return to Denver empty after dropping off petroleum products will be able to haul ethanol back to refineries. Colorado State University will provide research for the plant, said Paul Orentas of LiquidMaize.

The trial for a man accused of killing a police officer and former Auburn High School graduate started this week, the El Paso County district attorney’s office said.

Fast-growing Woodward Governor Co. reported its board plans a 2-for-1 stock split and an increase in its authorized shares.