Colorado Firefighters Return From Helping In Arizona

DENVER (CBS4) - Arizona's Wallow Wildfire is now the largest in that state's history, burning more than 511,000 acres. Some of the firefighters helping in Arizona are from Colorado.

Many of the Colorado firefighters returned home Sunday morning after helping in the fight. Four North Metro firefighters were deployed for 10 days.

CBS4's Jennifer Brice spoke to engineer John Cook, who was one of the firefighters who returned. He was on a wildland team of 10.

"When we first got there it was like going into a fog bank of smoke," Cook said. "Whether it be trying to sleep or eat, you were in a giant cloud of smoke."

Cook said the Wallow Fire is the worst he's seen, second to Colorado's Hayman Fire in 2002.

"The Hayman Fire is definitely the closest around here that is comparable to down there," Cook said. "It's been a perfect storm with the fuel moisture, the winds and high temperatures."

Fire crews from Colorado are going to Arizona every two weeks.