A wildfire that began on Saturday in Colorado has defied attempts by firefighters to keep it contained and has begun to spread into nearby Colorado Springs. Smoke and ash have blanketed the city as the fire approached, and thousands have been forced to flee their homes. The U.S. Air Force Academy, which is situated near Colorado Springs, has been partially closed as well.

Pictures of the damage and the fire’s approach to the usually peaceful Colorado Springs are appearing often as people take to Twitter to express their dismay at the destruction being caused:

The Denver Post is providing Colorado residents with information on the fire’s location and how to help the victims:

On a personal note, my wife and I vacationed in Colorado Springs a few years ago, and it quickly became one of my favorite places in the world. To see it burning now is heartbreaking. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this fire and with the firefighters battling to keep it contained.