Wildfires have forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes near the famous Breckenridge Ski Resort. The fire was first reported by a cyclist late on Wednesday morning and was fuelled by beetle-killed trees in the White River National Forest, Colorado, about four miles from the popular resort. So far the fire has destroyed about 80 acres and forced the evacuation of 463 homes near Breckenridge, one of the most visited ski resorts in the western hemisphere. Firefighter have warned neighbouring residents they may also soon face leaving their homes. The base of the ski resort, which includes hotels and restaurants, has not yet been evacuated. Two heavy tankers and a helicopter dropped slurry and water on the fire yesterday and it did appear to be dying down as temperatures cooled during the night. However, evacuation orders are expected to remain in place until midday on Thursday. The fire was among several in the West, including one that was burning near a nuclear facility in Washington state. In northern Nevada, officials advised residents to leave their homes ahead of one of several fires sweeping across dry rangeland, reported ABC News. Palomino Valley residents were told to go to an equestrian events center in Reno, Truckee Meadows fire spokeswoman Erin Holland said. He added that 100 animals had also been sheltered. The advisory followed a National Weather Service warning for high fire danger in western Nevada and California's Alpine and Mono counties.