Locals assess wildfire damage

Burnt-out homes, vehicles and trees line the road in Colorado Springs.

The most destructive wildfire in the area's history forced tens of thousands from their homes and left the landscape a blackened wasteland.

Aside from the fire, bears and burglars have posed further dangers to homeowners.

Residents have begun to return. And for many the sight is devastating.

SOUNDBITE: DAMON BOWLIN, COLORADO SPRINGS RESIDENT, SAYING (English):

"It's heart wrenching, rather sickening. I don't think we ever had a fear of being harmed by the fire, but when you all the sudden you realize you've lost your entire life, the thing you've been working for all of your life and the beauty and the tranquility that we have been experiencing for the past several years and realize now there's no house, there's no place you can call home."

To maintain order, National Guard troops have been on the ground under orders from President Obama, who toured the area on Friday (June 28).

The so-called Waldo Canyon Fire has burned hundreds of homes and devastated communities since it began eight days ago.

Sarah Charlton, Reuters.