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Firefighters To Outline 2014 Fire Season Outlook

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — State and federal firefighting bosses are briefing Gov. John Hickenlooper on the outlook for the 2014 wildfire season in Colorado.

Hickenlooper also plans to sign legislation authorizing nearly $20 million to expand the state's firefighting fleet during the Monday morning briefing.

The bill allows the state to buy two fire-spotting planes and contract for four helicopters and four single-engine tankers. The state currently has contracts for two single-engine tankers.

The state planes would supplement the fleet managed by federal firefighting agencies.

State and federal agencies brief the governor on the fire season outlook every spring.

The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, the U.S. Forest Service and the federal Bureau of Land Management will be represented.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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