More than 120 firefighters, including four hot-shot crews, are continuing to battle the 801-acre Grammar fire northwest of Norwood.
The fire had caused the evacuation of the Deer Mesa and Maverick Draw areas, where 20 homes have been threatened by the blaze. The fire was sparked Tuesday by a lightning strike.
Erin Curtis, a BLM public information officer, said late Thursday that residents had been given permission to return.
She said firefighters have built lines on the south and east flanks of the fire and were able to halt the fire’s advance on several of the homes. No structures have burned.
As of this evening, the fire was 35 percent contained, with no growth overnight.
On Wednesday, four heavy air tankers, two single-engine air tankers and two helicopters fought the blaze.
Today, the two helicopters are fighting the fire, assisted by six wildland-firefighting engines and another 15 fire engines from fire departments in the region.
She said the heavy air tankers are on standby in Grand Junction.
Curtis said the region continues to dry out, adding to the fire danger.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
