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Colorado Springs, Colo. • A Colorado sheriff says firefighters "are getting the upper hand" on the most destructive wildfire in state history as crews expanded containment with no new houses lost.

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa also say officials are beginning to see the grim landscape the wildfire has left behind and some areas in the blaze's path looked "like a nuclear bomb went off." Because of that, Maketa said Saturday afternoon it's difficult for officials know what used to be homes or other structures.

The fire that exploded Tuesday outside of Colorado Springs has destroyed nearly 500 homes and killed 2 people who appeared ready to flee. Containment is at 45 percent. It's unknown what sparked the blaze.

Most mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted.