NEW : 17 other significant wildfires are burning around Colorado . Firefighters are `` optimistic '' after making inroads battling Black Forest Fire in central Colorado . An official estimates 5 % containment , up from 45 % the previous morning . The reason for that mix -- why , for the most part , homes were either destroyed or escaped unscathed -- was the speed and intensity of the flames , Maketa explained Saturday . two structures have been destroyed , 17 partially damaged and 17 people have died .
NEW : 17 other significant wildfires are burning around Colorado . Firefighters are `` optimistic '' after making inroads battling Black Forest Fire in central Colorado . An official estimates 5 % containment , up from 45 % the previous morning . two structures have been destroyed , 17 partially damaged and 17 people have died .