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Water Drops Made On Red Canyon Fire

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- Two helicopters made water drops on the Red Canyon Fire burning in Garfield County on Wednesday while strong winds kept air tankers away.

The fire threatens 20 structures, many of them homes, about three miles southeast of Glenwood Springs. None are in any immediate danger. Residents are concerned that the winds could change direction.

"Even though we were under pre-evacuation we did leave twice during the night because below our house is a hay field so we were worried about sparking and stuff of ours going up too, so we left twice," said resident Ashley Buss.

Although strong winds with gusts upwards of 30 mph kept air tankers away from the firefight, cloud cover helped firefighting crews by bringing in cooler temperatures.

Two helicopters were allowed to fill their vessels with water at a nearby sod farm. Those helicopters crossed Spring Valley all day and continued to make pinpoint drops on visible flames.

The fire has burned about 350 acres and is 10 percent contained.

Federal resources are evaluating the fire with infrared technology which will give them a better idea of which way the fire is growing and where the areas are that are most at risk.

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