Colorado wildfires: President Obama declares disaster

US President Barack Obama has issued a disaster declaration for Colorado, where wildfires have forced tens of thousands from their homes.

The move paves the way for access to federal funds to combat the blaze, and comes just hours before Mr Obama is due to visit the state.

Police said a body had been found in a burned-out home in Colorado Springs.

The Waldo Canyon fire has destroyed 346 houses, making it the most destructive in the state's history.

Another blaze in northern Colorado - the High Park fire - has killed one person and has destroyed 257 homes, officials have said.

Officials say progress has been aided by improved weather conditions, but the forest service has warned that it could still take weeks to get the wildfires under control.

Body found

Half of America's firefighting resources have been deployed in the state, where nearly 160,000 acres have been razed.

The Waldo Canyon fire is threatening Colorado Springs, the state's second biggest city and home to some 420,000 people.

Meanwhile, some of the more than 30,000 people who fled the flames in the city on Tuesday night have been told they can return.

Late on Thursday, Police Chief Pete Carey said the remains of a person were found in a gutted house in the city.

He said the body was one of two people reported missing from that address, but did not give further details.

Officials on Thursday said the fire was halted before it reached the academy for US Air Force cadets, which was evacuated.

The authorities informed those who had lost homes on Thursday. Some had already been able to tell if their houses had survived from aerial photos, which showed rows of buildings reduced to ashes.

Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach said it would be a difficult time for those affected.

"This community is going to surround them with love and encouragement," Mr Bach said, according to the Associated Press news agency.

The fire, which has caused an estimated $3.2m (£2m) of damage, was 15% contained as of late on Thursday.

President Obama is due to tour the affected areas later on Friday. His decision to declare a disaster in the area makes federal funds available for local relief efforts.

Wildfires are also sweeping parts of Montana, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and California.

-BBC