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CNN Live Today

Denver Choking With Smoke, Soot from Wildfires

Aired June 11, 2002 - 12:24   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: Hazy skies filled with smoke, soot and hope now linger over Colorado. Firefighters got a much-needed break during the night, as cooler temperatures moved in and the wind changed directions. But, is that enough?

A question Lilian Kim knows all about. She joins us live from Littleton -- Lilian.

LILIAN KIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, the fire is slowly moving northeast, inching closer to Denver suburbs. But the good news is that it is not moving nearly as fast as it was yesterday. This is the largest fire in Colorado history, burning more than 80,000 acres so far.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KIM (voice-over): Firefighters say the wind-driven flames are unpredictable. At one point, so dangerous that crews were pulled off the lines.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have never seen anything like this. I've never seen it grow so quickly.

KIM: 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.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It has been some erratic fire behavior out here. High winds, gusting winds, low humidities, extreme fire behavior we've witnessed out here, torching some ground fires as well.

KIM: Firefighters say the blaze was started by an illegal campfire, about 55 miles southwest of Denver. The fire is one of at least eight burning in Colorado.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are in competition, obviously, with other fires burning across the state, for the resources that are available. There is a finite number of resources. Right now we have a lot demand.

(END VIDEOTAPE) KIM: Even though the flames have been kept away from the Denver suburbs so far, residents are feeling the effects. They've had to deal with ash and soot, and many have gotten sick from the smoky air. So people are advised to stay indoors, especially those folks who suffer from respiratory problems.

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

PHILLIPS: Lilian, real quickly, the threat of thousands of people that could be evacuated, is the area ready for this?

KIM: Well they have been told as of yesterday that there is a possibility that they could be evacuated. So folks have been packing up, packing their vehicles with their personal belongings and important documents and photographs just in case that evacuation order -- just in case they order that evacuation.

PHILLIPS: Lilian Kim, thanks so much.

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