More than 700 firefighters were still tackling the blaze four days after it erupted in the western US state, but officials said that it was 30 percent contained, as opposed to zero percent under control earlier in the week.

Some 3,500 people were evacuated Monday near Fourmile Canyon, north of the state capital Denver, and have pressed to be allowed back to see if their homes have survived the blaze, which has damaged or destroyed 169 buildings.

On Thursday some were let back in, at least temporarily. "We're allowing them into the house, take care of what they need to, grab what they need and then get out," said Boulder County Sheriff's Commander Rick Brough.

But residents were advised not to remain overnight because 80 kilometer (50 mile) an hour winds are forecast later Thursday.

"With the wind event tonight -- it could be off to the races. All it takes is one spark outside the line and we have a new fire," said firefighter Rob Bozeman, who has been involved in the effort to contain the blaze.

Sporadic rainfall on Wednesday had already helped douse the blaze, which erupted has affected about 6,400 acres (2,600 hectares) of land.

A small number of people had been reported missing on Wednesday, but by Thursday everyone had been accounted for, said Brough.

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has pledged five million dollars in state funds to help fight the blaze.

earlier related report
Five missing on third day of Colorado wildfires
Denver, Colorado (AFP) Sept 8, 2010 - Five people remained missing late Wednesday as firefighters battled for a third day to contain a major wildfire in the western US state of Colorado, officials said.

Sporadic rainfall helped douse the blaze, but the fire -- which erupted Monday in Fourmile Canyon northwest of the state capital Denver -- affected about 6,400 acres (2,600 hectares) of land, according to an afternoon update.

The fires destroyed some 140 homes and other buildings, up from 92 reported earlier in the day, officials confirmed.

"It's still spread out over the burn area," said Laura McConnell of the Rocky Mountain Incident Management team. "We've seen some of the growth on the northeast side of the burn area.

"But there's not a rushing wall of flame in any direction," she said, adding that aircraft dropped 35,000 gallons (132,490 liters) of fire retardant in the area during the day.

Earlier, authorities said eight people were reported missing, but by the end of the day, the figure was cut to five, as officials continued to try to make contact via relatives and friends.

It was unclear whether those missing were affected by the blaze, or were simply unaccounted for because they could not be contacted.

More than 200 firefighters, 24 fire engines and nine aircraft were fighting the fire and more resources were coming in, said McConnell. Federal emergency management officials issued a Type I, or national priority, fire designation.

Officials hope the sporadic rains continue overnight, giving firefighters a chance to make headway on the flames before higher winds return to the area, forecast from late Thursday.

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has pledged five million dollars in state funds to help fight the blaze.

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