DURANGO, Colo. -- A raging wildfire grew by more than 9,500 acres Wednesday, jumping containment lines and threatening more than 400 homes as firefighters toiled under hot, dry conditions.

MISSIONARY RIDGE FIRE MAP: Fire Perimeter MAP: Fire Perimeter (Large File) MAP: 3-D Map (Large File) RESOURCES Durango Interagency Fire Management Missionary Ridge Fire National Incident Report Durango Herald Call (970) 385-8700 for evacuation infor INTERACTIVE SURVEY: Should State's Forests Be Closed? MULTIMEDIA: Causes And Protections INFO Evacuation Tips Open Fires Banned Penalties Fireworks Shows On? Forest Closure Smell Smoke? Fire Bans

"The fire is giving us some problems on several sides," said Mark Morrow, a fire information officer. "We've lost about 33 homes, which is an increase from the day before."

The blaze burning about 10 miles north of Durango grew from 44,320 acres to 53,888 acres by Thursday, said fire information officer Charon Geigle.

"It's drier than a lumberyard," she said.

The blaze jumped fire lines its southeastern edge, and crews cut new lines to protect a subdivision of more than 400 threatened homes. Geigle said crews were also watching homes on the west side of the fire.

More than 1,760 homes were evacuated, including 47 more on the western edge Wednesday afternoon. Forest officials initially estimated more than 2,466 were evacuated.

About 1,119 firefighters and support crew, aided by 99 engines and eight helicopters, worked to control the fire, which was only 25 percent contained.

"We're throwing a lot of people and equipment at this fire," said Morrow. "We're doing all we can with line crews, helicopters and slurry bombers."

The U-shaped fire stretched 15 miles from east to west and nine miles north to south.

The hope for progress lies with a soaking rain, but no heavy precipitation is forecast for at least 10 days, officials said.

"This fire has the power of a nuclear bomb. Fire is a powerful force," information officer Bill Paxton said Wednesday.

Randy Brown, friends and relatives filled a tanker truck and jugs with water Wednesday to try to douse hotspots on his family's ranch in the midst of the fire.

Brown, 40, of Dolores said he thought his parents' ranch southwest of Vallecito was safe, but he said there was a lot of potential for damage.

"I wouldn't be anywhere but here," Brown said as he prepared to drive off with another load of water.

Brown and friend Travis Leonard donned helmets and fire-retardant shirts before they began the arduous work. Tommy Beuten, another relative, wore a surgeon's mask to protect against the smoke as he filled three-gallon water jugs.

It is the biggest fire in the San Juan National Forest's history, he said. "We're dealing with a fire that's a historical event," he said.

The fire broke out June 9 in a ditch about 15 miles northeast of Durango. It has raced through bone-dry timber fueled by wind gusts in steep terrain. Firefighters say 100-year-old trees have been snapped in half by wind gusts.