DURANGO, Colo.—Air tankers are helping to fight two wildfires in southwest Colorado.
The U.S. Forest Service says winds calmed down Thursday, allowing two heavy air tankers from Albuquerque, N.M., and a heavy helicopter to drop retardant and water on the Vallecito Fire. That blaze has not forced any evacuations, though 18 homes have received pre-evacuation notices. It is estimated to be burning on about 230 acres and is 5 percent contained. It may have been sparked by lightning, but an investigation is continuing.
Meanwhile, La Plata County emergency manager Butch Knowlton says two single-engine air tankers were dropping slurry on the Little East Fire. About 35 to 40 homes in Montezuma County received pre-evacuation notices due to that fire. That fire was burning on an estimated 80 to 100 acres.
