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CNN Live Today

Wildfires Near Denver Still Unpredictable

Aired June 11, 2002 - 11:11   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: More serious news, of course, back here in this country. And that is in Colorado, where firefighters are battling a huge blaze near Denver. They're trying to get a break from cooler weather and shifter winds, but the fire is still very unpredictable.

Our Lilian Kim is at a fire station near Littleton, Colorado. That is just a few miles from the front lines -- Lilian, in Littleton, not easy to say, but good morning to you, Lilian.

LILIAN KIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. The fire is slowly moving northeast, inching closer to Denver suburbs. But it's not moving nearly as fast as it was yesterday. Now all of this fire movement is dependent on the wind. And so far the fire has burned more than 80,000 acres; the largest in Colorado history.

Firefighters say the wind-driven flames are unpredictable. At one point, so dangerous, crews were pulled off the lines. The fire, moving as quickly as a mile an hour, came alarmingly close to Denver suburbs, creating a haze over the city. Hundreds have left their homes; many more may eventually be forced out.

Authorities have drawn up plans to evacuate as many as 40,000 residents. High winds, high temperatures and dry conditions are making it tough for crews battling the flames. Firefighters say the blaze was started by an illegal campfire about 55 miles southwest of Denver. The fire is one of several burning in Colorado.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK CABLES, FOREST SERVICE: We've got seven large fires going in Colorado right now. Flying this fire yesterday, the Hayman fire, the smoke column was well above 25-30,000 feet. It is a rather awesome spectacle. We're working really closely with the county sheriffs to evacuate people out ahead of the fire.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KIM: Governor Bill Owens has banned outdoor burning in state parks and national forests in Colorado in hopes of minimizing any chance of another fire. Now the cost to fight this fire just outside of Denver, more than $1 million a day.

Reporting live from Littleton, Colorado, I'm Lilian Kim -- Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: All right. Lilian, thank you so much.

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