CONIFER, Colo. (AP) - The residents of about 900 homes have been evacuated and more are under threat because of a wildfire burning in a mostly rural area in the foothills southwest of Denver.

The blaze is several miles and mountain ridges west of the city's tightly populated southwestern suburbs. Authorities say it has destroyed 15 to 25 houses.

A body was found late Monday but investigators have yet to determine the cause of death. Jefferson County sheriff's spokeswoman Jacki Kelley says the victim wasn't a firefighter or emergency responder.

The fire has spread to nearly 5 square miles within a matter of hours, spurred by high wind gusts that prevented air crews from helping firefighters on Monday.

Forecasters say gusts re expected to be lighter on Tuesday but a period of stronger winds was expected in the afternoon.