Crews Rush to Extinguish Wild Fire

[Hum]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. ?  With evacuees anxious to return, firefighters worked Sunday to dig up and extinguish hot spots to protect homes spared by the most destructive wildfire in Colorado's history.

The labor-intensive work is necessary because extremely dry grass and trees could quickly ignite if wind stirs up hot spots in the densely wooded Black Forest near Colorado Springs.

Firefighters did get some help from the weather as steady rain moved through the area Sunday afternoon. But that weather came with some lightning, which sparked a small grass fire near one home.

"Every bit of rain helps the crews mop up. It's just adding another nail in the coffin," fire spokesman Brandon Hampton said.

Nearly 500 homes have been burned by the 22-square-mile fire, which is 65 percent contained. Crews hope to have it fully under control by Thursday.

Even though the fire was no longer active enough on Sunday to produce a large smoke plume, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said it wasn't safe for people to return home until roads and downed power lines were repaired.

Additionally, the death of two unidentified people trying to flee the fire was still being investigated. Maketa said he was in no rush to have people return to an area that, at least for now, was still being considered a crime scene.

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[Liana]

I live in Colorado Springs and know quite a few people who live in Black Forest. The fire started about a half mile from my parents' house and thankfully their house is okay, but it's deeply saddening that many people weren't as fortunate. I just want to recognize not only the firefighters, but for everyone that's gone out their way and above and beyond their normal duties to help out during this disaster, especially considering today is Father's Day and a lot of people are busy working on this fire instead of being with their families. Thank you to all those people.