RIFLE, Colo. (AP) — Forest officials in western Colorado say this year’s wildfire season is lingering longer than usual.

White River National Forest spokesman Bill Kight says a second significant area wildfire in less than two weeks is a reminder that the danger isn’t over.

Kight and Bureau of Land Management spokesman David Boyd say they can’t remember the last time the local wildfire danger has lingered so late into the year.

A 1,000-acre wildfire north of Rifle was 5 percent contained Thursday. Strong winds pushed it into the forest on the west side of the Grand Hogback.

To the east, the 250-acre Middle Elk Fire is still smoldering in the Flat Tops. It was started Sept. 20 by an unattended campfire.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)