Colorado Firefighters Diverted To New Wildfire

LIVERMORE, Colo. (AP) -- Some firefighters who are gaining ground on containing a wildfire in northern Colorado have been diverted to a new wildfire burning on about three acres nearby.

Larimer County sheriff's officials said aircraft from the Stuart Hole fire and about 40 firefighters were working to put out the new fire Wednesday. Authorities suspect it was started by lightning.

The Stuart Hole fire is about 227 acres and is 80 percent contained. The residents of 13 homes that were evacuated have been allowed back home.

The lightning-sparked Stuart Hole fire has damaged at least two outbuildings since it started Monday. It's about 40 miles northwest of Fort Collins in rocky terrain north of where a camp stove ignited a wildfire last month. That earlier fire is smoldering but is fully contained.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Wildfire Resources section.

- Read recent Wildfire stories.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfire (Fourmile Fire) and largest wildfire (Hayman Fire) in Colorado history.