Wildfires

Wildfires - Colorado, Alaska, USA

A fire sparked Monday morning in southern Colorado quickly grew out of control and continues to grow with little to no containment. The so-called Junkins fire has claimed at least 16,312 acres in Custer and Pueblo counties, according to an incident report. The fire grew rapidly due to windy conditions; just north of Custer County, in the town of Florence, winds gusted above 40 mph Monday morning.

Fire officials expect calmer winds to provide a bit of reprieve for firefighters working two Sutton-area wildfires Tuesday. Alaska Division of Forestry spokesperson Tim Mowry said the 328-acre Moose Creek Fire had no “significant activity” overnight. By 8 p.m. the fire, was 46 percent contained. The King Fire, burning just miles away from the Moose Creek Fire, had a small flare up Monday night, but Mowry said it was quickly contained.