Junkins Fire: Crews Plan To Protect Structures Then Move To Containment

Firefighters battling a 21-square-mile southern Colorado wildfire are focusing on protecting structures before they take the offensive against the blaze on Tuesday.

Fire crews from throughout the state are headed to the Junkins Fire, which erupted Monday in Custer County about 30 miles west of Pueblo. Residents evacuated 130 homes, and more evacuations are possible.

At least 80 firefighters are on the scene, and three air tankers have been deployed. The cause of the fire, which has destroyed at least one structure, isn't known.

To the north, firefighters have contained more than 50 percent of a 14-acre wildfire in Pike National Forest about 10 miles northwest of Colorado Springs. No structures were damaged.

Oscar Martinez, a district ranger with the U.S. Forest Service, says he hopes crews can fully contain the fire on Tuesday.