Western wildfires

Shawn Torres of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management starts a backburn while battling the Kinyon Road Fire on Saturday, July 7, 2012, west of Castleford, Idaho. More than 150 firefighters are fighting the blaze that has consumed over 75,000 acres.

Members of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management start a backburn while battling the Kinyon Road Fire near Castleford, Idaho, July 7, 2012. The fire has burned 190,000 acres

Jasper Lloyd, with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, directs an air tanker into the fire retardant loading area at the Twin Falls, Idaho airport on Monday, July 9, 2012. More firefighters were headed to the Idaho wildfire that was sparked by a Saturday lightning storm and had spread to 190,000 acres.

An aircraft drops fire retardant on the Kinyon Road Fire off of Horse Butte Road west of Castleford, Idaho on Sunday July 8, 2012. More than 150 firefighters are fighting the blaze that has consumed over 75,000 acres.

AP Photo/San Bernardino Sun, LaFonzo Carter

Camp crews firefighters work to put out a wildfire at Waterman Canyon in San Bernardino, Calif., Monday July 9, 2012. The fire erupted shortly before 2 p.m. Monday along Highway 18 in Waterman Canyon, where residents have been asked to voluntarily leave.

A heavy tanker drops retardant as crews battle the Shingle Fire east of Cedar City, Utah, on Monday, July 2, 2012. Evacuations were ordered as the 500-acre wildfire that broke out Sunday threatened about 100 cabins inside Dixie National Forest. In all, 10 wildfires were burning Monday across Utah.

AP Photo/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Gerald Vickers

A helicopter drops water as it assists in firefighting efforts at the Taylor Creek fire 25 miles southeast of Ashland, Mont., Thursday, July 5, 2012. Fire officials said most of Thursday's fire activity was on the blaze in southeastern Montana, which was fueled by high winds.

In this June 29, 2012, photo, a fire burns near Edgemont, S.D., after a mechanical problem on an RV caused the blaze.

Maggie Baker visits the remains of her brother-in-law's home which was burnt to the ground in the High Park Fire, June 30, 2012 in Bellvue, Colorado, west of Fort Collins. The inferno burned more than 87,000 acres and left one person dead and destroyed 259 homes.

This aerial photo shows the destructive path of the Waldo Canyon fire in the Mountain Shadows subdivision area of Colorado Springs, Colo., Thursday, June 28, 2012. Nearly 350 homes were destroyed, yet miraculously a some homes standing just yards away were untouched by the flames.

AP Photo/The Colorado Springs Gazette, Jerilee Bennett

A mountainside is left charred Sunday, July 1, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colo., after being ravaged by the Waldo Canyon fire. So far, the blaze, now 45 percent contained, has damaged or destroyed nearly 350 homes.

This aerial photo shows the destructive path of the Waldo Canyon fire in the Mountain Shadows subdivision area of Colorado Springs, Colo., Thursday, June 28, 2012. Colorado Springs officials said Thursday that hundreds of homes have been destroyed by the raging wildfire.

AP Photo/The Colorado Springs Gazette, Mark Reis

Waldo Canyon Fire evacuee Renee Peterson and her daughter, Darah, 7, listen to a news conference on the fire on Thursday, June 28, 2012 in Colorado Springs, Colo. City officials said Thursday that hundreds of homes have been destroyed by a raging wildfire that has encroached on the state's second-largest city and threatened the U.S. Air Force Academy.

A police roadblock in an evacuated neighborhood near the Waldo Canyon fire is seen on June 28, 2012 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The massive fire, which eased slightly with the help of cooler temperatures and lighter winds, has destroyed hundreds of homes and forced more than 35,000 people to flee.

Evacuees of the Waldo Canyon Fire are seen at the Cheyenne Mountain High School evacuation center as the wildfire continued to burn Wednesday, June 27, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colo. The wildfire doubled in size overnight to about 24 square miles and has so far forced mandatory evacuations for more than 32,000 residents.

Waldo Canyon Fire evacuee Bill Myers looks for his street on a map at the Cheyenne Mountain High School evacuation center on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colo. The wildfire doubled in size overnight to about 24 square miles and has so far forced mandatory evacuations for more than 32,000 residents.

AP Photo/The Colorado Springs Gazette, Christian Murdock

Mari Sinton-Martinez hugs a American Red Cross volunteer before the Waldo Canyon Fire impact meeting for residents in the areas where hundreds of homes were destroyed Tuesday night, June 26, 2012. Sinton-Martinez's home was one of the homes on Wilson Road in Colorado Springs, Colo., that survived the fire.

Waldo Canyon, fire, wildfire, colorado — Chris Schneider/Getty Images

Smoke from the Waldo Canyon fire drapes the foothills on June 27, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

6/27: Firestorm ravages Colorado; FDA approves new diet drug

Homes burn in the Waldo Canyon fire in late June, 2012.

Firestorm of epic proportions ravages Colo.

The Waldo Canyon fire seen from a distance in late June, 2012

Smoke rises behind homes on the Waldo Canyon wildfire west of Colorado Springs, Colo., on Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

A helicopter tries to put out fire on the Waldo Canyon wildfire as it moved into subdivisions and destroyed homes in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Tuesday, June 26, 2012.

The Waldo Canyon Fire moves into subdivisions in Colorado Springs — AP Photo/Gaylon Wampler

Fire from the Waldo Canyon wildfire burns as it moved into subdivisions and destroyed homes in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 26, 2012.

A helicopter flies over the Waldo Canyon fire as it continues to burn June 27, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colo.

A wildfire burns near Colorado Springs, Colo., Saturday, June 23, 2012.

AP Photo/The Deseret News, Scott G. Winterton

This aerial photo shows structures and wooded areas scorched by a wildfire near Mt. Pleasant, Utah, on Monday, June 25, 2012. Firefighting officials say they have 10 percent containment on a fire that's threatening about 300 homes in Sanpete County and has burned structures, although they say it's not clear how many structures were burned or what kind they are.

A helicopter heads toward a wildfire after loading a bucket full of water on Monday, June 25, 2012, north of Helena, Mont. Scorching heat and high winds caused wildfires to break out across southwestern Montana, forcing the evacuation of more than 200 homes.

Fire burns behind homes on the Waldo Canyon wildfire west of Colorado Springs, Colo., on June 25, 2012. As many as 5,000 people are still evacuated from their homes because of the fire.

Fire burns behind homes on the Waldo Canyon wildfire west of Colorado Springs, Colo., on June 25, 2012.

The Waldo Canyon wildfire blazes through tree tops west of Manitou Springs, Colo., on June 25, 2012. The Waldo Canyon fire, one of at least a half-dozen wildfires in Colorado, has blackened 5.3 square miles and displaced about 6,000 people since it started.

The Waldo Canyon wildfire burns on a ridge west of Manitou Springs, Colo., June 25, 2012.

A wildfire burns near Cascade, Colo., on Sunday, June 24, 2012. The fire erupted and grew out of control to more than 3 square miles early Sunday, prompting the evacuation of more than 11,000 residents and an unknown number of tourists.

Karen Bodine loads alfalfa as her husband, Greg Bodine, left, and her father, Duane Schormann, load her father's animals into a trailer as a wildfire burns near Schormanns' home in Cascade, Colo., on Sunday, June 24, 2012.

The fire erupted and grew out of control to more than 3 square miles early Sunday, prompting the evacuation of more than 11,000 residents and an unknown number of tourists.

A wildfire burns near Colorado Springs, Colo., June 24, 2012.

Smoke billows from a wildfire burning near Colorado Springs, Colo., on Sunday, June 24, 2012. The fire erupted and grew out of control to more than 3 square miles early Sunday, prompting the evacuation of more than 11,000 residents and an unknown number of tourists. On Saturday, a blaze destroyed 21 structures near the mountain community of Estes Park.

AP Photo/The Colorado Springs Gazette, Susannah Kay

The sun sets as seen from Lower Gold Camp Road as a wildfire continues to burn west of Colorado Springs, Colo. on Sunday, June 24, 2012. The fire erupted Saturday and grew out of control to more than 3 square miles early Sunday, prompting the evacuation of more than 11,000 residents and an unknown number of tourists.

In this photo provided by Darrell Spangler, rubble smolders Sunday, June 24, 2012, from a home consumed by fire a day earlier, in Estes Park, Colo. As many as 21 structures were destroyed by the fire on Saturday. Eight separate wildfires are burning across Colorado, which is seeing record-breaking heat.

In this Saturday, June 23, 2012 photo provided by Darrell Spangler, a firefighter works the scene of a home being consumed by flames in Estes Park, Colo. As many as 21 structures were destroyed by the fire on Saturday. Eight separate wildfires are burning across Colorado, which is seeing record-breaking heat.

A slurry bomber drops fire retardant on a blaze near Colorado Springs, Colo., Saturday, June 23, 2012. The fire started Saturday and has grown to an estimated 600 acres.

Clint Cooper photographs a wildfire burning west of Colorado Springs, Colo., from a rock outcropping on Pikes Peak, Saturday, June 23, 2012. The fire started Saturday and has grown to an estimated 600 acres.

A wildfire burns near Colorado Springs, Colo., Saturday, June 23, 2012. The fire started Saturday and has grown to an estimated 600 acres.

People watch as smoke billows from a wildfire west of Colorado Springs, Colo. on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The fire has grown to an estimated 600 acres and The Gazette reports authorities are evacuating the exclusive Cedar Heights neighborhood as well as the Garden of the Gods nature center.

Mark Reis,AP Photo/The Colorado Springs Gazette

A fire fighting helicopter flies over a wildfire near Colorado Springs, Colo., Saturday, June 23, 2012. The fire started Saturday and has grown to an estimated 600 acres.

A flower stands along Larimer County Road 74W as a wildfire continues to burn near Livermore, Colo., on Saturday, June 23, 2012. Authorities sent out 992 evacuation notices Friday due to the wildfire burning on more than 100 square miles in northern Colorado as winds pick up.

AP Photo/Colorado National Guard , Jess Geffre

In this photo taken on Monday, June 18, 2012, and made available Wednesday by the Colorado National Guard, a helicopter drops a load of water above the High Park wildfire, about 15 miles west of Fort Collins, Colo. The fire already has destroyed at least 189 homes since it was sparked by lightning June 9.

AP Photo/Paul Fraughton, Salt Lake Tribune

A wildfire west of Utah Lake sends flames shooting into the sky Friday, June 22, 2012. Residents of at least 2,300 homes in northern Utah were being evacuated Friday after high winds kicked up a fire started by target shooters.

AP Photo/The Deseret News, Jeffrey D. Allred

Fire approaches homes near Saratoga Springs, Utah on Friday, June 22, 2012. About 1,000 homes are being evacuated after high winds kicked up a fire near a northern Utah dump. Fire officials were calling in additional aircraft to fight the fast-moving fire near Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain. At one point, the fire threatened an explosives factory.

The biggest wildfire of the season continues to burn on Hawaii's Big Island. Firefighters worked around the clock against a fire that scorched more than 5,000 acres in Pahala. Officials said the blaze continues to spread northeast toward Hilo and is about 40 percent contained.

A wildfire west of Utah Lake sends flames shooting into the sky Friday, June 22, 2012. Residents of at least 2,300 homes in northern Utah were being evacuated Friday after high winds kicked up a fire started by target shooters.

Emergency responders work on a wild land fire that is threatening homes in Saratoga Springs, Utah, Friday, June 22, 2012. About 1,000 homes are being evacuated after high winds kicked up a fire near a northern Utah dump. Fire officials were calling in additional aircraft to fight the fast-moving fire near Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain. At one point, the fire threatened an explosives factory.

A wildfire rages in Corrales, N.M. along both sides of the Rio Grande just north of Albuquerque, N.M. Wednesday, June 20, 2012. Officials say the fire in the wooded area had charred around 50 acres, and some residents in Corrales and the Sandia Pueblo were told to prepare to evacuate.

Fires erupt on a ridge over a Boy Scouts camp east of Red Feather Lakes, Colo., on Sunday, June 17, 2012, as a stubborn wildfire continues to burn in northern Colorado. Crews are facing powerful winds as they battle the blaze that has scorched about 86 square miles of mountainous forest land and destroyed at least 181 homes, the most in state history.

Residents of nearby subdivisions sit in their vehicles and look on as heavy smoke billows off the ridges east of Red Feather Lakes, Colo., on Sunday, June 17, 2012, as a stubborn wildfire continues to burn in northern Colorado. Strong winds are fanning the blaze that has destroyed at least 181 homes, the most in the state's history.

A sign warns motorists of the closure of Highway 14 through Poudre Canyon as columns of smoke rise in the distance from the High Park wildfire west of Fort Collins, Colo., on Friday, June 15, 2012. The wildfire started last Saturday and has burned more than 50,000 acres.

Firefighters watch as flames leap hundreds of feet in the air as the High Park wildfire fire explodes on the south side of Poudre Canyon west of Fort Collins, Colo., on Thursday, June 14, 2012. The wildfire started Saturday and has burned more than 50,000 acres.

Fire explodes on the south side of Poudre Canyon as the High Park wildfire burns west of Fort Collins, Colo., on Thursday, June 14, 2012. The wildfire started Saturday and has burned more than 50,000 acres.

AP Photo/NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

This June 10, 2012 satellite image provided by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center shows the 438-square-mile Gila fire in New Mexico.

AP Photo/Laramie Boomerang, Andy Carpenean

Courtney Braxton stands with one of her six horses that were evacuated from a horse boarding area directly in the path of the High Park wildfire Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the Livestock Pavilions in Windsor, Colo.

The northern Colorado wildfire blamed for one death grew Wednesday as firefighters dealt with hot dry weather, shifting winds and hundreds of acres of standing trees killed by pine beetles.

Flames leap hundreds of feet in the air as the High Park wildfire fire explodes on the south side of Poudre Canyon west of Fort Collins, Colo., on Thursday, June 14, 2012. The wildfire started Saturday and has burned more than 50,000 acres.

There are at least 19 large fires burning in several states across the West. Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, and California are among a few that are affected.

Traffic flows into the city of Denver on Interstate 25 as heavy smoke from the High Park wildfire near Fort Collins, Colo., covers the city on June 12, 2012. Authorities have issued health warnings as smoke and haze from the wildfire 60 miles to the north have blanketed the front range.

Residents watch the High Park wildfire burn from Bingham Hill west of Fort Collins, Colo., on June 12, 2012. The wildfire burned over 40,000 acres. One death is blamed on the wildfire as more residents are evacuated.

AP Photo/The Coloradoan, V. Richard Haro

Smoke billows from a wildfire burning west of Fort Collins, Colo., on June 12, 2012. The fire burned more than 40,000 acres and one person is dead as it continues to burn out of control.

Smoke billows from a wildfire burning west of Fort Collins, Colo., on June 12, 2012. The fire has burned more than 40,000 acres and one person is dead as it continues to burn out of control.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper speaks during a news briefing in Bellvue, Colo., about the efforts of firefighters battling the wildfire west of Fort Collins, Colo., on June 12, 2012.

Smoke rises from the High Park wildfire west of Fort Collins, Colo., on June 12, 2012. The U.S. Forest Service said late Monday it would add more aircraft to its aerial firefighting fleet, contracting one air tanker from the state of Alaska and four from Canada. Two more air tankers were being activated in California.

A horse grazes in a pasture as the High Park wildfire burns in the background west of Fort Collins, Colo., on June 12, 2012. The fire burning 15 miles west of Fort Collins was 5 percent contained and firefighters were hoping to double that by the evening.

Flames erupt atop a ridge near Horsetooth Reservoir on June 11, 2012 near Laporte, Colo. The High Park Fire in Larimer County has burned several thousand acres of land and damaged or destroyed more than 100 structures.

Smoke billows from a wildfire burning west of Fort Collins, Colo., on June 12, 2012. The fire has burned more than 40,000 acres and one person is dead as it continues to burn out of control.

Tracy Greenwood embraces her daughter Mariah Greenwood, left, as they watch the High Park wildfire burn around their home west of Fort Collins, Colo., on June 11, 2012.

A Sikorsky S-64 Aircrane firefighting helicopter circles as it prepares to drop water on a hotspot near Horsetooth Reservoir on June 11, 2012 near Laporte, Colo.

Residents Michelle Mellenthin and Chris Huizenga watch firefighting efforts from a Jeep on June 11, 2012 near Laporte, Colorado. Huizenga's family lives close by and was evacuated from their home because of the fire.

A Sikorsky S-64 Aircrane firefighting helicopter drops water on a hotspot burning close to homes near Horsetooth Reservoir June 11, 2012 near Laporte, Colo.

Three fire protection vehicles stand watch over a subdivision near Horsetooth Reservoir on June 11, 2012 near Laporte, Colorado.

Flames and smoke erupt atop a ridge near Horsetooth Reservoir on June 11, 2012 near Laporte, Colorado.

A Sikorsky S-64 Aircrane firefighting helicopter drops water on a hotspot burning close to homes near Horsetooth Reservoir June 11, 2012 near Laporte, Colo.

Smoke from the High Park Fire rises from the hillside looking west along Colorado State Highway 14 on June 11, 2012 in Fort Collins, Colo.

A Sikorsky S-64 Aircrane firefighting helicopter fills up with water as flames erupt atop a ridge near Horsetooth Reservoir on June 11, 2012 near Laporte, Colo.

AP Photo/Albuquerque Journal, Adolphe Pierre-Louis

A burned SUV at a home in Ruidoso, N.M., shows the devastation caused by a wildfire on June 11, 2012. Massive wildfires in drought-parched Colorado and New Mexico tested the resources of state and federal crews and underscored the need to replenish an aging U.S. aerial firefighting fleet needed to combat a year-round fire season.

A burned home in Ruidoso, N.M. shows the devastation caused by a wildfire on June 11, 2012.

Air crews continue to battle a wildfire near Alpine, Utah, July 4, 2012.