HESPERUS, Colo. (AP) -- Shifting winds spread a wildfire near Mesa Verde National Park to 2,800 acres Sunday, as the fire threatened nine homes.
The fire was threatening 16 structures overall, including a commercial building and six outbuildings or other structures, fire information officer Jen Chase said.
Fire officials reported winds of 12 to 24 mph and temperatures in the 90s as the blaze burned in pinon and juniper, but crews were able to build line around 20 percent of the fire to try to contain it.
Four helicopters were at the scene, but a heavy air tanker was diverted to another fire in Nevada, where structures were threatened Chase said. She did not expect the tanker to return to southwest Colorado on Monday, when upslope winds that could push the fire northeast were expected.
Crews also had to shift their attention to a fire that broke out nearby that grew to 31 acres before they were able to bring it under control.
Much of the fire fuel was dead as a result of insect infestations, Chase said. The fire was burning in both Montezuma and La Plata counties, on Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs and private land.
Fire engines were stationed by threatened homes, and Hotshot crews supported by aircraft were fighting the fire, which was first reported Thursday. It was believed to have been started by lightning.
There were 333 people working on both fires, Chase said. Crews planned to mop up the smaller fire Monday.
Costs of fighting the larger fire were approaching $1 million.
