The Junkins Fire in southern Colorado now burning over 18,099 acres in southern Colorado has claimed nine homes and 18 other structures, and is 39 percent contained, according to fire officials.
The fire began on Oct. 17, when wind carried a metal outbuilding into a power line, which subsequently hit a barbed wire fence.
“No rain is predicted at least until the middle of next week,” the Great Basin National Incident Management Team 1, which is handling the blaze, said in a press release. “These conditions will contribute to increase fire behavior and higher levels of smoke on roadways and in surrounding communities.”
On Sunday, aviation resources were dropping water and retardant to contain the fire and support ground crews.
Crews are working on the fire’s east and southeast flanks to secure and reinforce established containment lines, and firefighters and engines are patrolling around homes and other structures to ensure there are no concealed hot spots that might reignite.
Firefighters are also conducting burn-out and mop up operations to remove vegetation on the perimeter of the fire, creating a secure area along the edge of the fire.
