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CNN Live At Daybreak

At Least 24 Homes Damaged in Colorado Wildfire

Aired June 10, 2002 - 05:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Firefighters in Colorado hope improved weather conditions today will help them get an edge on a growing wildfire. The fire in Glenwood Springs has spread to more than 7,000 acres and damaged at least 24 homes. Three thousand people have been forced to evacuate. Officials believe the fire was started by a coal seam burning underground. The fire is still raging out of control and more firefighters are expected to be deployed to the area this week.

For a look at how the fire is impacting residents, we have a report from Suzanne McCarroll, of our Denver affiliate KCNC.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MCCARROLL, KCNC CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): One of those evacuated points his camera to the hillside above his home. The image in his viewfinder is frightening -- bright orange flames bearing down on his neighborhood. He continues shooting despite warnings to evacuate.

Helicopters dropped buckets of water on the flames, but by early afternoon, high winds make flying impossible. Crews must battle this blaze from the ground only. As the hours pass, some residents get the devastating news that it's their house that is lost.

This mobile home park was hit hard. Ten to 15 homes here are charred and ruined.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The sheriff was telling me get the hell out. The mobile home park was on fire down below us and get out now.

MCCARROLL: The hot springs pool is closed. Tourists are going home. But as one evacuee said, the tourists are the lucky ones. At least they know they have homes to return to.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a shock, you know, that this is happening again and it's terrible.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: And that report from Suzanne McCarroll of CNN affiliate KCNC in Denver. Conditions in Colorado are so dry right now that an extreme fire threat is in place for half of the state.

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