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Massive Colo., N.M. wildfires to worsen

Updated 11:10 p.m. ET

(CBS News) The governor of Colorado says nature is conspiring against his state. Thousands of acres are burning Sunday night, both in Colorado and New Mexico.

While the Colorado blaze is the bigger threat, expected to worsen tomorrow, neither firestorm is anywhere near under control.

Crews in Colorado continue to battle a fast-moving wildfire that has scorched nearly 14,000 acres since Saturday morning. The High Park Fire has burned at least 18 structures. Several people have been reported missing and hundreds have been forced to evacuate their homes.

One evacuee told CBS News: "Sheriff showed up at the door step, pounding on my door, telling everybody to get out. So it was at that point I left. Been kind of out here ever since."

The wildfire is raging in a mountain region 15 miles northwest of Fort Collins, and spread out over 22 miles. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper was at the scene this morning.

"Roughly one-third of the heavy fire retardant equipment in the country is here to fight this fire. We're going to throw everything at it we can," Hickenlooper said.

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The cause of the wildfire is unknown. It was first reported at 6 a.m. Saturday as a 2 acre blaze in the small community of Paradise Park, and grew rapidly by noon. By 10 p.m. Saturday night, it was estimated that 8,000 acres had been burned. Officials believe that shifting winds overnight caused the fire to grow.

Those winds combined with low humidity will continue to make it difficult for the 250 firefighters battling the flames.

"When you have a stiff wind in dry conditions like this its very tough," Hickenlooper said.

In New Mexico, wind is also playing a big role in a wildfire that is burning in the mountain community of Ruidoso. The so-called Little Bear Fire has grown to more than 40 square miles, nearly doubling its size from Saturday. There is no containment of that blaze, which has already damaged at least 36 structures and forced scores of residents to flee their homes.

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