A raging Colorado wildfire that forced tens of thousands to flee destroyed an estimated 346 homes this week, making it the most destructive fire in the state's history, officials said Thursday.

From above, the destruction becomes painfully clear: Rows and rows of houses were reduced to smoldering ashes even as some homes just feet away survived largely intact.

On one street, all but three houses had burned to their foundations, said Ryan Schneider, whose home is still standing in a neighborhood where 51 others were destroyed.

The aerial photos showing the scope of one of the worst fires to hit the American West in decades did little to help ease the concerns of many residents who still did not know the fate of homes.

Amid the devastation in the foothills of Colorado Springs, there were hopeful signs. Flames advancing on the U.S. Air Force Academy were stopped and cooler conditions could help slow the fire.

As of mid-day Thursday, the fire was 10 percent contained. The cost of fighting the blaze had already reached $3.2 million.

To read the complete article and view the news video, see:Mayor: Colorado Springs Fire Destroys 346 Homes(abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/displaced-colo-residents-wait-fire-rages-16666967)

I'm told that the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs made the national news last night. It's been the only news coverage here for days, so I thought that the coin community might be interested in a report of how things are going at the ANA Summer Seminar Session I.

I've been here since Saturday, along with NGC graders John Schuch and David Vagi. The fire was just starting when we arrived, but it has grown enormously and has already burned more than 130 homes. The fire is west and slightly north of Colorado College, where the seminar is held adjacent to the ANA headquarters. It doesn't seem that either facility is endangered, but it has made conditions here a bit unpleasant. Several ANA staff members and other numismatists in this area have been forced to evacuate their homes at some time or another this week. The U. S. Air Force Academy north of town has also been vacated. The popular train ride to the top of Pike's Peak was cancelled, since it leaves from one of the affected areas.

The campus housing at Colorado College began filling up with refugees last night, and it was a touching sight to see a young mother and her two children dragging their bags around the patio looking for the entrance to the quad units in which the instructors stay. Evidently, more evacuated persons will be arriving today.

The air is noticeably smoky. This, combined with the usual challenges presented by the altitude and aridity of Colorado Springs, has caused some minor breathing problems, and people and being advised to stay inside. I noticed that I was getting easily winded yesterday. While sitting in the popular Lunar Lounge, which is simply the patio area that faces the mountains, ash began to settle on my clothes, and a few scorched leaves fell nearby.

Classes are proceeding normally, but there is definitely a sense of anxiety. The usual afterhours ambience is lacking, and the aforementioned Lunar Lounge is strangely quiet after dark. Few people are gathering there to enjoy the beautiful Colorado sunsets, which this week are obscured by smoke and ash. Tall flames flare up on the ridgeline just west of town, and some seminar attendees have been successful in getting still photos and video of this dramatic sight.

I'm making the best of things, as are my fellow NGCers, but it's uncomfortable at times. We're determined to see it through, but I imagine that everyone will be a bit relieved when it's time to go home.

Please include your fellow numismatists who live and work in the Colorado Springs area in your thoughts. A lot of nice folks are in danger of losing their homes.

Later that day ANA Librarian RyAnne Scott wrote:

On Wednesday Bill Rosenblum wrote:

On Wednesday ANA communications coordinator Jake Sherlock published an article in the Columbia Missourian with photos of the smoke taken from the roof of the ANA.

To read the complete article, see:FROM READERS: Wildfire smoking out Colorado Springs(www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2012/06/27/readers-dispatch-colorado-springs/)

David Lange writes:

To view the video, see:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeBE4GRaNbU&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1

Numismatic literature dealer David Sklow writes: