GOLDEN, Colo. -- Crews battling the wildfire burning in the foothills west of Denver were getting some help from the air Wednesday as windy weather diminished.
Helicopters were dropping water on the fire that has burned nearly 2 square miles of steep, wooded terrain near Golden. An air crew was flying above the fire and letting ground crews know of any changes in fire behavior.
Winds gusting up to 75 mph Tuesday had grounded air support, but they have since eased.
Authorities say the strong winds actually prevented the fire from spreading because the winds caused the fire to burn back on itself.
The fire was 25 percent contained Wednesday.
About 290 firefighters were assigned to the blaze, which has been burning dry grass, brush and trees since Sunday, and more were on the way, said Jefferson County sheriff's spokeswoman Jacki Kelley.
Meteorologists say wildfires are common this time of year, when strong wind persists and vegetation is dry. Compounding that was a severe drought, which is affecting most of Colorado east of the Rocky Mountains -- including the Denver metropolitan area -- the U.S. Drought Monitor said.
Colorado water officials say the potential for wildfire is high in the east and southeast parts of the state, with last year's growing season leaving behind plenty of dry fuel to burn.
"This year has already seen larger wildfires than is typical for this time of year," according to the most recent drought update of the state Water Availability Task Force. "Should current conditions persist, it is likely that Colorado will see more wildfire than was seen last year."
In Longmont northwest of Denver, a small grass fire that started Wednesday morning east of U.S. 36 grew to 7 acres before it was contained. At least five Colorado counties have enacted fire bans while the strong winds and low humidity last.
Around the country, the National Interagency Fire Center reported 12 large fires burning Wednesday in eight states. As preparations begin for the busier summer season, Congress is still deciding how to fund firefighting efforts in fiscal 2011, but a House resolution recommends making cuts.
In Colorado, residents of about 17 homes that were evacuated to allow easier access for fire engines in the canyons have been able to return.
"Hopefully we'll be able to keep them in their homes and not have to evacuate," she said.
People who live in foothill neighborhoods west of Golden, a Denver suburb, should remain on standby if the blaze flares up, officials said.
Officials suspect the wildfire is human-caused, though the exact cause hasn't been determined.
No injuries were reported, and no structures have burned.
While fires can happen any time of year, the heart of fire season in Colorado is typically May to September or October, when more aircraft for fighting fires are contracted and agencies hire seasonal firefighters.
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