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• Dry winter, warming trend foretell wildfire danger

  May 1, 2013 3:55 PM

  BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Two small wildfires in California's wine country this week could be a harbinger of a nasty summer fire season across the West. Officials with the National Interagency Fire Center said Wednesday a dry winter and predicted warming trend mean the potential for significant fire activity will... more »

• Crews battling N. Colo. fire face gusty winds

  March 17, 2013 12:58 PM

  FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Gusty winds could hinder firefighters' efforts to contain a wildfire that has scorched up to 1,000 acres in the foothills west of Fort Collins. Calm weather Saturday allowed crews to make significant progress, but the National Weather Service says Sunday could bring warmer temperatures and... more »

• Calm weather helps crews battling fire in N. Colo.

  March 16, 2013 1:21 PM

  FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Calmer weather is expected to help crews fighting a wildfire that has scorched between 750 and 1,000 acres west of Fort Collins. Nick Christensen, spokesman for the Larimer County Sheriff's Department, says strong winds that caused havoc Friday had died down by Saturday morning, and... more »

• Hundreds crowd emergency preparation meeting

  January 16, 2013 1:00 AM

  COLORADO SPRINGS - There weren't many empty seats at the Cheyenne Mountain High School auditorium as hundreds of people came out to the city's first wildfire safety information meeting. City leaders from the police and fire departments spoke about the importance of preparing for an evacuation and how to... more »

• Several move from Wetmore after October wildfire Play Video

  December 18, 2012 6:42 PM

  We still may not know the full effect of that devastating fire in the tiny town of Wetmore. Two months after a fire ripped through town, the only change is the snow on the ground. There are still signs all over Wetmore of the fire that consumed 15... more »

• Fire in Rocky Mountain National Park doubles in size

  December 2, 2012 1:55 PM

  ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, Colo. (AP) - A wildfire that burned at least one cabin and forced the evacuation of several areas in and near Rocky Mountain National Park has grown to more than 3,500 acres. The Fern Lake Fire grew rapidly Saturday morning, more than doubling in size before... more »

• Drive held in memory of theater shooting victim raises thousands for wildfires

  September 9, 2012 2:57 PM

  DENVER (AP) - An equipment drive honoring an aspiring sportscaster who was killed in the Colorado theater shooting has netted more than 25,000 pieces of donated athletic gear, which will be distributed to victims of this summer's destructive wildfires. Jessica Ghawi was one of 12 people killed in the July... more »

• Four arrested for stealing metal in the Waldo Canyon burn area

  August 20, 2012 12:18 PM

  Four people have been arrested after neighbors reported someone stealing metal from homes destroyed by the Waldo Canyon wildfire. Police patrolling the area stopped a vehicle as it was leaving on Sunday. They arrested Selina Blair, Liza Mcfadden-Rhane, Marshall Brooks, and Tero Rhane for suspicion of trespassing and theft. The... more »

• Hickenlooper urges fire mitigation in farm bill

  July 11, 2012 5:02 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Gov. John Hickenlooper is urging Congress to keep provisions in the farm bill that he says are critical for wildfire mitigation in Western states. The Democratic governor says in a letter to the House Committee on Agriculture that some provisions in the bill "would be very helpful... more »

• Update: Waldo Canyon Fire Play Video

  June 27, 2012 11:25 AM

  The Waldo Canyon Fire has caused 32,500 people to be evacuated in Colorado Springs and El Paso County. At a morning news conference, officials said structures were lost in the last 24 hours, but they don't have a good count at this point. Firefighting efforts continue with hundreds... more »

• Make an emergency plan and prepare a kit

  June 23, 2012 8:12 PM

  In case a wildfire ever occurs near you, you should prepare your family with a plan and a kit. Some items to remember include a 3-day supply of food and water, your cellphone and a charger, extra cash, medications, a first aid kit, copies of any important personal documents, family... more »

• UPDATE: evacuations and road closures while crews fight fire near Lake George

  June 17, 2012 5:19 PM

  Update: Springer Fire has burned 200 acres. Update: News 5 crews responding to the Springer Fire say County Roads 96 and 92 are closed at Highway 24 while crews fight the fire. Our crews have also been told by the Park county Sheriff's office that along with 11 Mile... more »

• Crews fighting fast growing fire near Lake George

  June 17, 2012 4:35 PM

  Crews are responding to a wildfire in Park County near the Teller County line. It was originally called in around noon Sunday, about two miles north of 11 Mile Reservoir; about three miles south of Lake George. 11 Mile Canyon Recreation Area and some homes are being evacuated. Other areas... more »

• New wildfire burns in northern Colorado

  June 4, 2012 5:37 PM

  PARADOX, Colo. (AP) - Firefighters are responding to a new wildfire burning in northern Colorado. Larimer County sheriff's officials say the fire was reported Monday afternoon and has spread to about 40 acres. Sheriff's officials say they have alerted 66 homes and three businesses to the fire, but no evacuations... more »

• Huge New Mexico wildfire continues to grow

  May 31, 2012 11:10 AM

  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A giant wildfire in the Gila National Forest that is already New Mexico's largest ever has grown to nearly 300 square miles. Fire officials said Thursday that the erratic blaze grew overnight to more than 190,000 acres and is spreading in all directions, as officials in... more »

• Deaths of victims in Jefferson CO wildfire ruled accidents

  May 9, 2012 6:58 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Coroner's officials have ruled the deaths of three people in a fast-moving wildfire west of Denver in March as accidental. Jefferson County coroner's officials say 77-year-old Sam Lucas and his 76-year-old wife, Linda Lucas, died from smoke-inhalation and exposure to flames. Deputy Coroner Carl Blesch tells The... more »

• Lower North Fork fire report released Monday

  April 16, 2012 1:00 PM

  Gov. John Hickenlooper will join William Bass, the leader of a team of specialists who reviewed the prescribed fire that preceded the Lower North Fork fire, and Colorado State University President Tony Frank Monday at 2:30 p.m. to discuss a report by the review team and its recommendations. The... more »

• Authorities defend procedures in fatal wildfire

  April 10, 2012 3:23 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Authorities are defending their attempts to warn residents about a Colorado wildfire blamed for killing three people. About an hour before the first wave of automated evacuated warning calls on March 26, a volunteer firefighter went house-to-house telling residents to leave. He wasn't able to reach one... more »

• Obama telephones Perry on Texas wildfires

  September 7, 2011 8:46 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has telephoned Gov. Rick Perry, one of the Republicans who want Obama's job, to express concern for residents threatened by one of the most destructive wildfires in Texas history. The White House says Obama made clear that the federal government will continue to... more »

• Wildfires burn homes in central TX and Calif.

  September 6, 2011 5:09 AM

  UNDATED (AP) - Strong winds and drought conditions are fueling a wildfire in central Texas that so far has destroyed nearly 500 homes and forced 5,000 people to evacuate. The blaze has burned some 25,000 acres. And in Southern California, at least three wildfires are burning. One, started by a... more »

• Perry says Texas wildfire 'mean' as he's ever seen

  September 5, 2011 8:34 PM

  BASTROP, Texas (AP) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry says the wildfire burning in the central part of the state is "as mean looking" as he's ever seen. Perry left his presidential campaign Monday in South Carolina to return to Texas and deal with the fire, which covers 25,000 acres... more »

• Woman, toddler killed as wildfire takes just minutes to destroy row of homes

  September 5, 2011 7:44 AM

  DALLAS (AP) - Longtime Texas sheriff Maxey Cerliano says it's the fastest-moving fire he's ever seen. Six homes were toppled within minutes, including a trailer where a woman and her 18-month-old daughter were killed because they couldn't escape in time. Authorities say the fires were propelled partly by... more »

• Wildfires become deadly

  September 5, 2011 2:54 AM

  DALLAS (AP) - A sheriff says a fast-moving wildfire has engulfed a home in East Texas, killing a 20-year-old woman and her 18-month-old daughter who were trapped inside. Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano says the fire destroyed the home Sunday between Lincoln City and Gladewater, more than 100 miles east... more »

• Multiple wildfires in Oregon

  September 2, 2011 7:53 AM

  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Firefighters working on a dozen major fires or groups of fires in central and eastern Oregon have things to worry about as the Labor Day weekend nears. Jeree Mills, a spokeswoman for the federal fire center in Portland, says hot, dry and windy weather is... more »

• Hotshot crews headed to fight Colorado wildfire

  August 10, 2011 8:29 PM

  CRAIG, Colo. (AP) - Two Hotshot crews are in northwestern Colorado to keep a fast-moving wildfire from growing after it destroyed an outbuilding, damaged a power pole and threatened communication towers. The 75-acre fire started around noon Tuesday. Fire managers were hoping to fully contain it Wednesday night. The... more »

• Bear Canyon fire keeping its size

  July 4, 2011 11:05 PM

  Smoke coming from the foothills west of Colorado Springs caught the attention of people across the city. "We were riding up Palmer Trail and we came around a curve and we saw what looked like, at the time, a small campfire burning up on the ridge," says Traci D'Alessio,... more »

• Flights show radiation normal near Los Alamos fire

  July 3, 2011 3:44 PM

  SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - An aircraft monitoring the area near Los Alamos where a huge wildfire has been burning has picked up no sign of unusual radiation levels. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez announced Sunday that flights by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plane in the past week... more »

• Small wildfire in Fremont County

  June 28, 2011 10:53 PM

  Fire crews were quick to act tonight on a wildfire in Fremont County. It's burning on Iron Mountain. About 5 acres have burned off Indian Wells Road and Copper Gluch Road. But local and federal resources attacked the fire quickly and tell News First 5 it's well contained.... more »

• Peterson AFB sending aerial firefighters to AZ, NM

  June 26, 2011 12:34 PM

  PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AP) - Peterson Air Force Base is sending two planes to New Mexico to help fight wildfires in that state and Arizona. The planes from the 302nd Airlift Wing, a reserve unit, will be based at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. The... more »

• Track fire nearly contained

  June 21, 2011 7:11 PM

  RATON, N.M. (AP) - Firefighters are close to containing a wildfire that charred nearly 28,000 acres along the New Mexico-Colorado border. The Track fire had initially forced the evacuation of several hundred residents and the closure of Interstate 25 between Raton and Trinidad, Colo. Crews were focused Tuesday on mopping... more »

• Cowboys save the ranch from wildfire

  June 20, 2011 8:53 PM

  "I mean we've fought lightning strikes and fires all our lives, but I've never seen anything this big," says Kelly Bader, a Las Animas County rancher, describing the Shell Fire that consumed eight to ten-thousand acres of his land last week. "It doesn't look anything like a fire, but... more »

• Update: Duckett Fire

  June 19, 2011 7:09 PM

  As the Duckett Fire rages on crews are beginning to get a hold on it. As it stands now the fire is about 30% contained. That's a big improvement over Saturday. "Yesterday was 15% so there's been quite a bit of progress." explains Tracy Dierking, a Public Information Officer working... more »

• Costs to fight Duckett fire reach $4 million

  June 19, 2011 2:55 PM

  SALIDA, Colo. (AP) - Fire officials say costs of fighting a blaze burning on seven square miles in the southern Colorado mountains have reached about $4 million. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity Saturday helped crews build containment lines around 30 percent of the Duckett fire, but the National Weather... more »

• Crews getting upper hand on Duckett Fire

  June 19, 2011 1:00 PM

  We just got off the phone with crew members of the Duckett Fire near Westcliffe. They tell us crews got a lot of mitigation work done over the last night and the fire is now 30% contained. However the area is under a Red Flag Warning from noon until 9:00... more »

• Duckett fire community meeting underway

  June 16, 2011 8:15 PM

  A community meeting about the Duckett fire, burning in Custer and Fremont counties is underway at the Custer Middle School. We will bring you updates as we get them and on News First 5 at 10. more »

• Conditions worsen at Duckett Fire

  June 16, 2011 2:50 PM

  Severe wind gusts have begun blowing hot embers directly into homes on the east side of the Duckett Fire along the Custer/Fremont County line. The fire grew by nearly 500 acres Wednesday to just shy of 3,000 acres. Fire bosses report 10% containment as of Thursday at noon, but... more »

• Blaze along NM-Colo. destroys 14 structures

  June 15, 2011 2:28 PM

  A wildfire racing across rugged terrain along the New Mexico-Colorado border has charred more than 25,000 acres and has destroyed more than a dozen structures. Fire officials say 14 structures, including outbuildings and uninhabited hunting cabins, have burned. Officials say none of the structures were primary residences. Crews... more »

• Southern Colo. Duckett fire still has potential to grow

  June 15, 2011 1:32 PM

  WESTCLIFFE, Colo. (AP) - Authorities say a wildfire burning in the southern Colorado mountains still has the potential to grow. The fire near Westcliffe was listed at 2,300 acres Wednesday, a day after low humidity helped the fire make a significant run to the south. Crews were able to... more »

• More evacuations near New Mexico/Colorado fire

  June 14, 2011 8:13 PM

  Raton, New Mexico (AP)--- Fire officials have ordered more evacuations as a wildfire continues to rage along the New Mexico-Colorado border. The Track Fire has charred more than 24,000 acres along the border since starting Sunday. It has destroyed 11 structures, including outbuildings and hunting cabins, and had forced... more »

• Navajo evacuees not allowed back in yet

  June 10, 2011 6:22 PM

  As fire crews gain the upper hand on the Navajo Fire in Teller County, the conditions remain dangerous. Even with 50% containment today the Teller County Sheriff's Office says many hot spots remain and flare ups are common as winds move through the area. Because of this residents who were... more »

• Update: Navajo Fire

  June 10, 2011 6:11 PM

  The Teller County Sheriff's Office tells News First 5 that the Navajo fire burning near Wrights Reservoir is now 50% contained. They also say that estimate is conservative. Cool overnight weather and rising humidity helped to calm the fire burning since Wednesday. more »

• No containment for Shell Fire

  June 9, 2011 6:54 PM

  The Shell Fire in Las Animas County has zero containment as of this morning, according to Las Animas County Emergency Management. The fire is burning 25,000 acres on both sides of Highway 109 between La Junta and Kim. The primary focus for today is on the west side of... more »

• Crews attack new wildfire near Keystone Resort

  June 2, 2011 10:32 PM

  FRISCO, Colo. (AP) - Crews are trying to protect homes from a small wildfire that has broken out near Keystone Resort in the central-Colorado mountains. Officials say the fire had burned 20 acres by Thursday evening. Nearby homes were evacuated. It wasn't clear how many people were affected. The... more »

• "Bear Fire" continues to grow after spreading into Colorado

  May 29, 2011 5:22 PM

  A spokesperson with the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office tells News First 5 that there are currently 75 firefighters working the fire lines in the Colorado portion of the "Bear Fire." Additional resources have been requested and are en-route from the Colorado State Forest Service. Currently only one helicopter unit... more »

• Wildfire from lightning strike spreads from New Mexico into Colorado

  May 28, 2011 5:59 PM

  As News First 5 reported late Friday night a fire that had started in New Mexico has spread into Colorado. The fire began late Thursday evening when lightning from a passing thunderstorm sparked dry fuel in a rugged canyon area just west of Sugarite Canyon State Park in northern New... more »

• UPDATE: Fountain fire out

  May 14, 2011 12:44 PM

  Crews fighting the grass fire in a field between Woody Creek Drive and S. Powers Blvd have reported the fire extinguished. Crews still on scene are watching for hot spots and performing mop up functions. No homes were reported damaged by the fire due to the quick response of fire... more »

• Kenosha Pass fire over 100 acres

  May 8, 2011 3:47 PM

  Park County Undersheriff Monty Gore says no homes have been evacuated, but they are evacuating hikers and campers in the area. He says seven structures are near the fire area, but they are not in immediate danger. Authorities say the fire is burning in the Lost Creek area of... more »

• UPDATE: Falcon grass fire 100% contained

  May 8, 2011 3:11 PM

  Crews fighting the grass fire that started near Oregon Wagon Trail in Falcon have reported that they are now in the mop up and hot spot watch stage of fighting the fire that flared up from a lawn mower earlier today. Officials on scene declared the fire 100% contained as... more »

• Fire sparked by lawn mower has crews working in Black Forest, Falcon area

  May 8, 2011 1:24 PM

  Fire crews are working rapidly to contain a grass fire that was sparked by a lawn mower in the Black Forest and Falcon area. The fire began in a pasture area near 12030 Oregon Wagon Trail Rd. The initial call came in shortly before 11:00 A.M. and went from 1/2... more »

• Large grass fire burning in Lincoln County

  May 7, 2011 4:38 PM

  Fire crews from El Paso County are responding to a mutual aide call in Lincoln County for a large grass fire burning approximately 4 to 5 miles East of Rush. Crews are still just arriving on scene and we have had no reports of the fire's actual size or if... more »

• Blanket of snow falls over Colo. wildfire

  May 1, 2011 2:11 PM

  WETMORE, Colo. (AP) - About 4 inches of snow fell over a wildfire that had prompted the evacuation of about 40 homes and cabins near Wetmore. Fire information officer Ralph Bellah says the snow is helping firefighters battle the blaze that burned about 550 acres of ponderosa pine, fir... more »

• Evacuations lifted, progress made in Sand Gulch Fire

  April 30, 2011 11:56 PM

  While the Sand Gulch Fire continues to burn in the San Isabel National Forest near Wetmore, fire crews say progress is being made. According to fire commanders at the scene, "Aerial and ground crews have made favorable progress with today's conditions. The fire is now 20% contained." Smoke is... more »

• Wildfire forces dozens of Colo. home evacuations

  April 30, 2011 12:42 PM

  WETMORE, Colo. (AP) - Cooler, wetter weather is helping firefighters as they battle a blaze that has evacuated about 40 Colorado homes and cabins. Fire officials say lightning sparked the fire Friday on a 9,000-foot ridge near Wetmore, about 120 miles south of Denver. Strong wind gusts carried... more »

• Fire near Lamar has been extinguish and investigators are searching for a cause.

  April 23, 2011 2:49 PM

  Prowers County Sheriff's Office and the Emergency Management Service tells News First 5 that the wildfire reported around mid-day on Friday was 100% contained late Friday night. The Sheriff's office went on to say that by early Saturday morning around 6 am the fire was determined to be out. ... more »

• Firefighters contain blaze in Jefferson County

  April 23, 2011 1:57 PM

  CONIFER, Colo. (AP) - A 40-acre fire that evacuated more than 30 homes in the foothills southwest of Denver is fully contained. Jefferson County sheriff's officials say firefighters contained the fire Friday night and were moving through snow to check for hot spots Saturday. The fire broke out... more »

• Wildfire scorches about 100 acres in Morgan County

  April 17, 2011 7:52 PM

  FORT MORGAN, Colo. (AP) - A wildfire northwest of Fort Morgan prompted the precautionary evacuation of three homes and scorched about 100 acres before crews were able to stop its advance. Morgan County Commissioner Brian McCracken says the fire was 70 percent contained at 5 p.m. Sunday, about five... more »

• Boulder County braces for flooding after fire

  April 17, 2011 2:46 PM

  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Boulder County is bracing for increased flood danger west of Boulder where hillsides have been stripped bare of vegetation by September's wildfire. The Boulder Daily Camera reports that about 90 responders from 15 agencies practiced for a variety of emergencies during drills Saturday. September's wildfire... more »

• Mulching project continues on burn area

  April 16, 2011 12:40 PM

  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - An extra half ton of straw has been ordered to cover mountainsides burned in a wildfire that destroyed 169 homes and scorched about 9 square miles west of Boulder. Helicopters have already dropped roughly a ton of straw mulch, which will help reduce the risk... more »

• Bent County Fire: 100% contained

  April 15, 2011 7:37 PM

  A wildfire in Bent County is now 100% contained. The fire started last Saturday and spread to about 14,000 acres. Today crews were mopping up and saw no flare-ups in the past 24 hours, enabling them to declare containment. In the past week the fire flared up twice---forcing evacuations. more »

• Wildfire prompts evacuation in SE Colorado

  April 10, 2011 3:49 PM

  CAMPO, Colo. (AP) - A wildfire burning near Las Animas has grown to approximately 11 square miles and prompted the evacuation of some homes in Hasty along U.S. 50. A Bent County dispatcher who would not give her name says about a dozen homes were ordered evacuated Sunday morning.... more »

• Crews to begin leaving N. Colo. wildfire

  April 10, 2011 3:37 PM

  FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - A wildfire west of Fort Collins is now 90 percent contained. Fire managers say there some of the 376 firefighters at the scene Sunday could start heading home later in the day. Fire managers did not immediately have an estimate of when the... more »

• Bent County Wildfire re-surges after 85% containment

  April 10, 2011 3:28 PM

  A fire that flared up Saturday that forced the evacuation of several homes in Bent County was reported at 85% contained by 5:30 p.m. last night. Today, Bent County EMS reports that the fire has re-flared and grown to over 7,000 acres. Strong winds have pushed the fire from the... more »

• 3-square mile fire in SE Colo., destroys home

  April 10, 2011 1:20 PM

  CAMPO, Colo. (AP) - A fatal rollover accident in Baca County sparked a 3-square-mile wildfire in grasslands that destroyed a home and a fire truck. Baca County Emergency Management Director Riley Frazee says crews were able to contain the blaze early Sunday and residents in 10 evacuated homes were... more »

• UPDATE: Highway 50 back open between Lamar and Las Animas

  April 9, 2011 6:21 PM

  Bent County Sheriffs Office tells News First 5 Hwy 50 is back open tonight between mile markers 405 and 427, the stretch between Las Animas and Lamar. It was closed earlier due to a fire in the area. Officials say it burned 100-150 acres. It started in the area... more »

• Evacuation orders lifted in Evergreen

  April 9, 2011 12:16 PM

  EVERGREEN, Colo. (AP) - Evacuation orders have been lifted after a central Colorado wildfire forced families from their Evergreen homes. Jefferson County Sheriff's spokesman Mark Techmeyer says a temperature drop and less wind last night helped crews fighting the 40-acre fire near Squaw Pass Road. Firefighters also were called to... more »

• Snow, shifting winds slow wildfire's growth

  April 3, 2011 6:09 PM

  FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Snow and shifting winds have slowed a wildfire in canyon country west of Fort Collins that scorched 2,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 335 homes overnight Sunday. Larimer County sheriff's spokesman John Schulz says an air tanker dropped fire retardant near the fire... more »

• More than 100 homes evacuated in Colorado wildfire

  April 3, 2011 10:51 AM

  FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Authorities say strong winds have fueled a wildfire west of Fort Collins and forced the evacuation of more than 100 homes. The blaze has already destroyed an outbuilding, a motorcycle and an all-terrain vehicle, but no injuries have been reported. Larimer County Sheriff's... more »

• Wildfire west of Fort Collins prompts evacuations

  April 3, 2011 10:42 AM

  FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Authorities say strong winds have fueled a wildfire west of Fort Collins and forced about 40 residents to evacuate their homes. The blaze has already destroyed an outbuilding, a motorcycle and an all-terrain vehicle, but no injuries have been reported. Larimer County emergency... more »

• Fire burning in trees, grass west of Fort Collins

  April 2, 2011 4:17 PM

  FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Authorities say a wildfire west of Fort Collins has destroyed an outbuilding, a motorcycle and an all-terrain vehicle, but no injuries have been reported and no evacuations have been ordered. The Larimer County Sheriff's Department says the fire has burned 20 to 25 acres... more »

• Fire mitigation project today at Sinton Pond

  March 22, 2011 12:04 PM

  The Colorado Springs Fire Department's Wildfire Mitigation Section is working to reduce wildfire danger in the Sinton Pond Open Space. The project will run from today through Friday in a two acre area surrounding Sinton Pond. Sinton Pond is located between Fillmore St. and Garden of the Gods... more »

• Fire near Golden grows to over 500 acres

  March 20, 2011 10:54 PM

  GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) - Jefferson County sheriff's officials say a fire burning on steep, dry, rocky terrain near Golden has more than doubled its size to nearly 1 square mile. Sheriff's spokeswoman Jacki Kelley says the fire started Sunday morning on Mount Galbraith between Clear Creek and Golden Gate... more »

• UPDATE: Wildfire in Rye contained

  March 20, 2011 2:51 PM

  News First 5's James Amos has just given an update from the scene of the wildfire near Rye in Pueblo County. Officials report that the fire has been contained and no homes were damaged. The fire sparked from embers that blew in from an unrelated controlled burn. A majority... more »

• Wildfire near Rye on a Red Flag day

  March 20, 2011 2:43 PM

  The Pueblo County Sheriffs Office tells News First 5 that a grass fire is burning near the town of Rye. There are homes threatened but no injuries have been reported at this time. The photos attached by our reporter James Amos shows the remote area where smoke is rising. more »

• Crews hope for good weather to rein in blaze

  March 12, 2011 12:06 PM

  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Firefighters hope for a break in the weather as they try to contain a 200-acre wildfire in the foothills west of Boulder. Crews had contained 25 percent of the fire by Friday night and hoped to increase that to 50 percent by Saturday morning. ... more »

• Boulder wildfire

  March 11, 2011 3:36 PM

  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - About 200 homes are being evacuated in Boulder County because of a wildfire. The fire has spread to about 20 acres in windy conditions. The fire is in the Lefthand Canyon area, in the foothills outside of the city of Boulder. Firefighters have also been... more »

• Fire burning near Boone

  March 3, 2011 3:57 PM

  A fire is burning near Boone, off Highway 96. Our crew is nearly there and can see the smoke. We'll bring you more as we get it. more »

• Fire restrictions lifted

  November 12, 2010 2:51 PM

  El Paso County fire restrictions were lifted today at noon. Fire Marshal Brett Lacey said, "We have had an active fire season this fall, but weather conditions are improving and restrictions can be lifted." Lacey asked that everyone be vigilant in preventing wildfires. more »

• Wildfire West of Boulder 70% Contained

  October 30, 2010 1:46 PM

  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - More than 1,700 people evacuated because of a wildfire west of Boulder are being allowed to return to their homes after firefighters worked through the night to stop the fire from spreading. Calm winds and higher humidity helped keep the 144-acre fire from spreading overnight Saturday.... more »

• Colorado wildfire now 40% contained

  October 6, 2010 8:22 AM

  Firefighters continue to build containment lines around a 530-acre wildfire burning in the mountains near Fraser. The fire, less than a square mile, is burning on public land and is about two miles away from homes. Because of that, and the risk posed by falling trees, firefighters are focusing... more »

• Wildfire in Grand County continues to grow

  October 4, 2010 10:41 AM

  A wildfire is burning in the central Colorado mountains, west of Fraser, has grown to 530 acres. The fire was reported Sunday afternoon and residents have been warned to get ready in case evacuations are needed. Right now the fire isn't threatening those homes. Rocky Mountain Area Coordination... more »

• Builders tread lightly with Colorado fire victims

  October 4, 2010 8:18 AM

  Last month's destructive wildfire in Boulder County left hundreds in need of new homes - and people in the construction industry looking to pick up work without seeming insensitive. Northern Colorado contractors say they're in desperate need of rebuilding work from the Fourmile Fire that burned 169 homes. But... more »