Watch CBS News

High Fire Danger Forecast For Eastern Colorado

DENVER (AP) — Fire officials have two air tankers on standby in Colorado because of a high fire danger forecast in the eastern half of the state for the weekend.

U.S. Forest Service spokesman Steve Segin says dry weather this month has exposed standing fuel such as grass and shrubs that can easily catch fire.

Residents on Colorado's Eastern Plains are still trying to determine the extent of damage and the number of farm animals killed following a wildfire that charred more than 37 square miles on Sunday.

Two homes were destroyed and the Colorado Farm Bureau says farmers and ranchers lost miles of fences as well as hay and grass. The bureau has set up a fund to help them and will host a benefit in Yuma on Saturday.

(© 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)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.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.