Crews Work at Containing 2nd Colo. Wildfire
Last Updated 1:22 p.m. ET
Expert firefighting teams battling the Reservoir Road Fire in Larimer County are still fighting hotspots and trying to avoid any expansion of the blaze, reports CBS Station KCNC.
"The next 36 hours are critical," said fire incident team manager Jim Thomas Tuesday morning.
Thomas said warm, dry weather is helping fuel the nearly 1,000-acre wildfire near Loveland, and winds are expected to pick up later Tuesday and into Wednesday. As of this morning the fire was 20-25 percent contained.
More than 400 firefighters have been assigned to fight the fire. The team that led the fight against a wildfire that's now contained near Boulder has taken over.
Thomas said the fire didn't grow overnight and no new evacuations are expected on Tuesday, but at this point evacuated residents are still not being allowed in their homes.
The fire has destroyed at least two homes and it was within a half-mile of 20 to 25 homes on Monday morning. There are reports of numerous other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.
Officials are gathering evidence about the cause of the fire - said to have been started Sunday by two homeowners burning twigs, branches and grass while trying to clear debris - and are considering criminal charges.
Larimer County Sheriff spokesman Justin Smith said the two individuals have been cooperative and that there is nothing to indicate an intention to have the fire spread, but said that there is the potential for criminal charges.
On Monday Gov. Bill Ritter declared a State of Emergency for Larimer County and authorized $3 million in state emergency funds to fight the fire, located about 2 miles west of the city of Loveland.
One person fighting the fire was hurt on Monday in an accident.
"A crew member slipped on a rock and was unconscious for a short time," Thomas said. "They've got him off and resting. He's fine."
Mandatory evacuations remain for: "Homes in the Pinewood Reservoir and Saddlenotch areas are threatened. Anyone within a four-mile radius of Pinewood Reservoir should evacuate."
The Front Range has not had any significant rainfall since about the first week of August.
(Left: Foster Bailey takes photos of the remains of his home after the Fourmile Canyon fire in Boulder on Monday, Sept. 13, 2010.)
Authorities believe it started when a fire put out days earlier by a landowner reignited.
County fire officials say the person is a longtime volunteer firefighter. His name hasn't been released.