DEL NORTE, Colo.—Red flag conditions are returning to southern Colorado where the state’s largest fires are burning.
Dry thunderstorms are expected to produce lightning and gusty winds but no rain Thursday over the West Fork fire complex as well as the East Peak Fire southwest of Walsenburg.
The 21-square-mile East Peak Fire is 70 percent contained and crews hope to have it fully contained next week.
Firefighters don’t have much control over the 130-square-mile West Fork complex, which includes three fires. The most active lately has been the Papoose Fire near Creede. It spread toward Rio Grande Dam Wednesday and firefighters worked through the night to protect homes and reinforce hand lines.
There is some good news. Fire managers say there’s an increasing chance of wetting rain there over the weekend.
