Homes are destroyed by the Waldo Canyon fire in the Mountain Shadows area of Colorado Springs, Colo., on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. A stubborn and towering wildfire jumped firefighters? perimeter lines in the hills overlooking Colorado Springs, forcing frantic mandatory evacuation notices for more than 9,000 residents. (AP Photo/The Gazette,Jerilee Bennett)
Finally, residents of western states plagued by wildfires in June will likely get some relief in the form of liquid precipitation falling from the sky.
Rain! Part of the Waldo Canyon Fire that has burned 28 square miles of Colorado near Colorado Springs received some light rain Wednesday with more likely. Firefighters predicted full containment Friday.
That fire is believed to be one of the largest in Colorado history. It killed two people and destroyed more than 350 homes.
It’s more widespread that Colorado. Dry, hot and windy conditions across the west led to 36 large fires in nine western states. The National Interagency Fire Center, which coordinates wildfire-fighting efforts nationwide, said 45 large fires were burning Wednesday.
There is a chance of rain in the Denver area through the weekend. As that system moves out, it will move south and east toward us. Next week, the
forecast in Tulsa calls for a chance of rain and—no joke—high temps in the 80s. I won’t know what to do with myself.
Here are some photos from the wildfires. I never get tired of seeing these. They’re always compelling and dramatic
Emily and Byron Smith, and their son Ammon, 9, who returned after being evacuated, watch air crews continue to battle a wildfire near Alpine, Utah, on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. The fire has charred 2,887 acres and destroyed one barn since it started Tuesday afternoon. About 500 homes will remain evacuated for at least the next two days. (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Francisco Kjolseth)
An aircraft makes a drop on the Quail Fire above Alpine, Utah, Tuesday July 3, 2012. The wildfire that started Tuesday afternoon in Lambert Park has burned at least one structure and 80 homes have been evacuated, according to the Lone Peak Police Department. (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Chris Detrick )
Insurance agent Aaron Portnoy looks through the rubble of a home destroyed by fire in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Monday, July 2, 2012. Cars were burned to nothing but charred metal and only concrete remained of many homes in neighborhoods damaged by the worst wildfire in Colorado history. (AP Photo/The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett).
This one is a little closer to home... A wildfire engulfs trees in Atkins, Ark., Tuesday afternoon, July 3, 2012 . Fire crews from several rural fire departments, along with the Arkansas Forestry Commission and the U.S. Forest Service battled a wildfire which began at approximately 12:57 p.m. north of Atkins, Ark. (AP Photo/The Courier, Joshua Mashon)
--Jerry Wofford
