10/07/10 - Boulder County fire officials said that thanks to cool conditions overnight the Four mile Canyon Fire did not grow. The weather continues to be firefighters’ best hope for gaining the upper hand on the 3,500 acre wildfire.

Authorities said they did not have a count of how many structures have been lost however they said it likely was more than a dozen. Four firefighters were among those left homeless by the blaze.

Tinder dry fuels, low humidity, warm temperatures and gusty winds fueled the Four mile Canyon Fire yesterday as it grew to 3,500 acres in less than eight hours. Firefighters took up defensive positions trying to save what homes they could but many were reduced to cinder.

More than 100 firefighters are on scene with 35 engines from 30 local agencies. Boulder County Fire is acting as the primary agency for the fire.

High winds prevented air tankers with retardant from operating for most of the day but the wind eased in the late afternoon and evening allowing some operations. 18 flights by three tankers were carried out before the sun set and they were able to drop 40,000 gallons of retardant on the fast moving fire.

Four additional tankers arrived Monday and will begin operations today, weather permitting.

Officials said fire crews have not begun containment operations yet. Their current focus is on “point protection” and doing what they can to save homes and other threatened structures in the burn area. Steep terrain and limited road access are making for difficult conditions.