COLORADO SPRINGS — Lightning from a fast-moving storm sparked at least five wildfires in southeastern El Paso County on Friday afternoon, threatening some structures and prompting evacuations.

One person was treated for smoke inhalation.

Video from television news helicopters showed a building, apparently a barn, enveloped in flames. County authorities initially reported a house and two other buildings were damaged but later said they knew of no structures that were affected.

Two fires were controlled Friday night, sheriff's spokeswoman Melissa Hartman said. The size of the fires was not available.

Some residents were briefly evacuated but were allowed to return after the flames moved away from their homes. Hartman did not know how many residents were affected.

Lightning also started about a dozen fires were in Lincoln County, but all were extinguished by 7 p.m., the sheriff's department said.

Wildfires were also reported in Pueblo County, but no details were available.

A 6.5-acre wildfire on private and National Forest land was declared fully contained Friday.

Investigators said it was the fifth intentionally set fire in the area in two weeks and were trying to determine whether they were connected.

June 1, 2002

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