Crews gain on Piñon Canyon fire

June 15, 2008 - 12:40 AM
THE GAZETTE

   Firefighters on Saturday eked out 10 percent containment on a 42,000-acre fire mostly on Army land near La Junta in southeastern Colorado.

   Light winds were forecast for the Bridger fire, which started June 7 on the Pinon Canyon Maneuver site in Las Animas County before spreading to private, state and federal land across the recreation area's eastern border.

   On Sunday, a cooler air mass is expected to move over the area, also benefitting firefighters.

   More than 240 firefighters were working the blaze under the direction of a U.S. Forest Service management team. Six helicopters, three water tenders and 12 engines were assigned. Six Hot Shot crews - 20-person teams of elite firefigthers - were working the blaze.