Fire managers confident wildfire won't spread

BOULDER, Colo (AP)- Fire managers are confident they've stopped a wildfire burning in the Colorado foothills from spreading, but people who live in the blaze's path still didn't know Saturday when they would be able to return to their homes - or what remains of them.

The fire has destroyed at least 169 houses and is burning on a 10-square-mile area in canyons 5 miles west of Boulder. About half the blaze's perimeter now has fire lines built around it to keep sparks from spreading the flames to the area beyond.

Crews hope to have the fire fully contained by Monday evening thanks to calmer winds and the work done by about 1,000 firefighters from 20 states in digging those lines. In another sign of progress, eight of the 111 fire engines working on the fire would be allowed to return home Saturday.

It has cost $4.9 million to fight the fire, among the most destructive in the state's history.

Firefighters focused Saturday on putting out fires within the perimeter and building more fire line. The latest infrared flight done over the burn area showed several areas of isolated heat but no large pockets of intense heat, as previously seen.

No smoke could be seen coming up over the ridge where the fire was burning Saturday and the weather was calm after two straight days of gusty winds.

Winds gusting up to 40 mph on Thursday led to fears that the fire might spread into the city of Boulder, prompting officials to warn residents to cut their lawns and clear away wood piles and also consider making preparations in case they had to evacuate. The fire lines held and no evacuations were needed.

The loss of homes surpassed that of the 2002 Hayman fire in southern Colorado, which destroyed 133 homes and 466 outbuildings over 138,000 acres, or more than 215 square miles.