Crews at Colo. wildfire get help from air

Crews at Colo. wildfire get help from air

DAN ELLIOTT,Associated Press

GOLDEN, Colo. — The incident commander for a fire that has burned nearly 2 square miles of steep, wooded terrain west of Denver says the blaze could be 80 percent contained by Friday.

That's the latest from Rowdy Muir, who is leading the estimated 290 firefighters battling the blaze in the foothills near Golden.

The crews are getting help from helicopters and planes now that winds are diminishing.

Gusts up to 75 mph Tuesday had grounded air support, but they have since eased. Helicopters Wednesday dropped water and an air crew was alerting ground crews to any changes in fire behavior.

The fire is about 25 percent contained.

No structures have been lost, and residents of 17 homes that were evacuated to ease traffic for firefighters have been able to return.

GOLDEN, Colo. — The incident commander for a fire that has burned nearly 2 square miles of steep, wooded terrain west of Denver says the blaze could be 80 percent contained by Friday.

That's the latest from Rowdy Muir, who is leading the estimated 290 firefighters battling the blaze in the foothills near Golden.

The crews are getting help from helicopters and planes now that winds are diminishing.

Gusts up to 75 mph Tuesday had grounded air support, but they have since eased. Helicopters Wednesday dropped water and an air crew was alerting ground crews to any changes in fire behavior.

The fire is about 25 percent contained.

No structures have been lost, and residents of 17 homes that were evacuated to ease traffic for firefighters have been able to return.