POSTED: Friday, June 29, 2012 - 6:15pm
UPDATED: Friday, June 29, 2012 - 6:19pm
NATIONAL NEWS (CNN) — Shortly after announcing that 346 homes had burned to the ground, officials at the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs had more grim news: one person was found dead in a home and up to ten people could be missing.
"We're looking at a small number of people that are still dealing with incomplete information from family members," said Chief Pete Carey of Colorado Springs Police Dept.
This is now the most destructive fire in Colorado history.
President Obama declared the area a federal disaster zone, opening up more money for the firefight and recovery.
"We have been putting everything we have into trying to deal with what's one of the worst fires we've seen here in Colorado," said Obama.
On the fire front a second day of calmer, cooler weather means more progress and less danger.
"So the focus for today is to hold what we've got, improve the lines that we have in place," said Incident Commander Rich Harvery.
Meanwhile, the 320-thousand people evacuated from their homes are slowly allowed to go back.
For those whose homes are still standing the reaction is elation, mixed with sadness.
It could be a somber or nonexistent Independence Day for many in Colorado.
At least 30 cities in the state have canceled 4th of July festivities.