PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Gusty winds hampered firefighters
attacking a 45-acre wildfire Tuesday in southwestern Colorado.
The lightning-sparked fire was burning in the San Juan Mountains
in mixed conifer. No structures were threatened, U.S. Forest
Service spokesman Larry Helmerick said.
A second fire, less than an acre in size, was burning nearby,
according to the Forest Service.
Ten firefighters from the San Juan Hotshot Crew, an engine team
and two helicopters were fighting the fires. An air tanker and
additional firefighters were requested.
The fires were detected in the afternoon during a routine aerial
reconnaissance of the area. Temperatures were in the 80s throughout
the day and winds reached 25 mph as thunderstorms rolled through.
"They're a lot drier down there than we are here," Helmerick
said.
Southwestern Colorado has the greatest risk of wildfire in the
state, the Bureau of Land Management reported last month in an
annual survey.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
attacking a 45-acre wildfire Tuesday in southwestern Colorado.
The lightning-sparked fire was burning in the San Juan Mountains
in mixed conifer. No structures were threatened, U.S. Forest
Service spokesman Larry Helmerick said.
A second fire, less than an acre in size, was burning nearby,
according to the Forest Service.
Ten firefighters from the San Juan Hotshot Crew, an engine team
and two helicopters were fighting the fires. An air tanker and
additional firefighters were requested.
The fires were detected in the afternoon during a routine aerial
reconnaissance of the area. Temperatures were in the 80s throughout
the day and winds reached 25 mph as thunderstorms rolled through.
"They're a lot drier down there than we are here," Helmerick
said.
Southwestern Colorado has the greatest risk of wildfire in the
state, the Bureau of Land Management reported last month in an
annual survey.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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