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American Morning

Firefighters Battle Western Blazes

Aired June 14, 2002 - 09:04   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Still watching this deal in Colorado. They had a bit of a break yesterday from the weather. Firefighters back on the attack again today against the monster blaze burning out of control southwest of Denver.

John Zarrella back on the scene and joins us live from Castle Rock, Colorado.

John, how goes it today with the sun up now?

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bill, with the sun up, a good opportunity for the firefighters to have a second day, a second run at these fires, on the offensive for the first time yesterday. The fire still has consumed nearly 100,000 acres. But for the first time yesterday, and again today, the weather conditions are cooperating. Higher humidity, lower temperatures.

They're able to build some firebreaks now, particularly along the northern side of the fire, where they went in yesterday and began setting some backfires, clearing some underbrush, trying just in case, getting ahead of the game, so if the fire should change directions again with a wind change and turn back to the north, they'll be in position to fight it more successfully now that they're in there and on the ground.

In the south, it's not quite the same story, a little bit more difficult. Slurry bombers still going in trying to put retardant on some of the really thick fire that's burning down in the south.

A thousand firefighters working in the south, 500 working in the north. And we heard just a little while ago that the Missionary Ridge fire down to the southwest near Durango may be very, very active today. Concerns for the 500 firefighters down there. They may have to pull them out of the way. Temperatures expected to be up in the 90s down around Durango today. So that one appears to be, at least for the time being, flaring up.

But again here, Bill, one more good day of weather, then temperatures expected to rise again over the weekend. Humidities drop, so it could be tough going again come tomorrow and Sunday -- Bill.

HEMMER: We'll see how much they can get done in 24 hours. They're going to need the time. John, thanks. John Zarrella in Castle Rock.

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