GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo.—More firefighters joined the battle Wednesday against an erratic 390-acre wildfire southeast of Glenwood Springs that threatened 20 structures.
The Red Canyon Fire was burning in rugged pinyon and juniper forest about 3 miles southeast of the city and was 27 percent contained. Two 20-person hand crews joined 100 personnel at the scene Wednesday. They were backed by two water-dropping helicopters, one heavy air tanker and two small air tankers.
The Post Independent reported () that the fire threatened 20 structures, though none was in immediate danger. No injuries have been reported.
Authorities believe lightning may have started the blaze on Monday.
Bill Kight, spokesman for a multi-agency Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team at the scene, said wind gusts have complicated firefighters’ efforts. “Every day, we get these downflows from storm cells that travel over the fire” and push it in different directions, Kight said.
Also Wednesday, forest officials in southern Colorado upgraded containment on the West Fork Complex to 80 percent.
The West Fork Complex has charred more than 171 square miles in the Rio Grande National Forest. Forest spokesman Mike Blakeman says the West Fork Complex isn’t being actively fought, but threatens no structures. He predicted the wildfire wouldn’t be fully out until snow falls, though he said the burn area will reopen by hunting season Aug. 31.
Investigators still haven’t pinpointed the cause of June’s Black Forest Fire, which killed two people, destroying 488 homes and charring 22 square miles.
El Paso County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Kramer said it appears the fire was human-caused. He said investigators are still awaiting reports on some laboratory tests.
