Denver ? A wildfire that was fast advancing on Denver started to slow by nightfall Monday as the wind shifted, easing the threat of mass evacuations in the southwestern metropolitan area.

But the good news for people on the north end of the fire was bad news for crews on the fire’s south flank, where the blaze turned back on itself and destroyed what little containment line had been built.

“This fire is totally dominated by mother nature, all wind-driven, and because of the drought conditions it’s that much more unpredictable,” said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Susan Haywood.

Earlier Monday, the fire burning toward Denver grew to more than 75,000 acres and roared to within five miles of residential neighborhoods, spreading toward Denver at about a mile an hour. At one point, firefighters were pulled off the lines because it was too dangerous.

About 1,000 people fled their homes Monday, fire officials said. A day earlier, nearly 500 homes and several campgrounds about 50 miles southwest of Denver had been evacuated.

U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Barb Masinton had told The Associated Press that 40,000 residents had been ordered to leave. But Haywood, who is Masinton’s boss, later said Masinton misspoke. She said although it was possible 40,000 would have to leave, no such order had been issued.

Despite the wind shift and a light rain that began to fall Monday night, fire officials warned that the blaze could blow up again at any point.

The fire was started by an illegal campfire Saturday in the Pike National Forest 55 miles southwest of Denver and had doubled in size since Sunday. Campfires have been banned in national forests and most counties because of severe drought.

It was one of at least eight fires in Colorado, including an 8,300-acre blaze that destroyed 24 homes and sent residents fleeing in Glenwood Springs, near Storm King Mountain in western Colorado.

The fire near Glenwood Springs was 5 percent contained Monday as improved weather allowed airplanes to resume bombing the flames with retardant. The fire destroyed 40 structures, including 24 homes.