Whew! Cool weather aids firefighters in Colorado

PINE JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) -- Cool, moist air moved into the Colorado Rockies early Friday, giving hope the worst is over for crews battling two blazes that have scorched more than 19,000 acres, destroyed more than 50 homes and displaced hundreds of people.

The gusting winds and hot, dry air that hampered containment efforts for three days has given way to temperatures in the low 50s and a chance of rain, lending hope to hundreds of weary firefighters.

''The fact that it's cooler, less wind, more moisture in the air generally is a help,'' said Steep Weiss, a fire management team spokesman.

''I think the worst is over,'' added fire information officer Bob Sturdivant. ''Humidity is up. The fire behavior won't be as erratic as it has been.''

An estimated 10,950 acres of wooded foothills have burned 35 miles southwest of Denver since Monday. At least 39 homes were destroyed.

Ninety miles away, nearly 8,100 acres had burned just east of Rocky Mountain National Park by Thursday night. Fifteen homes were destroyed.