Firefighters Hopeful About Battle Against Junkins Fire

WESTCLIFFE, Colo. (AP) — Firefighters expect to keep making progress on the wildfire burning near Westcliffe despite the warmer-than-normal weather and low humidity expected over the coming days.

Officials said Friday that airplanes and helicopters, including two Blackhawks from the Colorado National Guard, are being used to douse hotspots and reinforce fire lines to keep the Junkins Fire from spreading toward Beulah or homes in Custer County.

The fire has burned about 28 square miles (17,920 acres) and is 33 percent contained. Some residents evacuated by the fire on Monday have been allowed to return home.

Officials say it started when high winds blew a metal outbuilding into a utility pole and knocked down a power line.

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