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JULY 26, 2000

The six-day-old Bircher fire in the Mesa Verde National Park has slowed down, thanks to changes in weather conditions.

Fire crews have expressed hope in containing what has been described as a fire with "extreme" behavior. In contrast to previous changes in the fire's growth, only about 1,000 acres have burned since yesterday, bringing the total to 23,000 acres.

Still, the former homes of today's Pueblo residents of New Mexico and Arizona are in the fire's path. The fire is about four miles away from Cliff Palace and Balcony House, archaological treasures known to many throughout the world.

A national "Type I" fire team has taken command over the blaze. They have reported a containment of 15 percent.

Seventeen crews, 4 airtankers, and 3 helicopters representing a total of 679 people are currently fighting the fire. It was caused last Thursday by lightning.

View a map of the fire's perimeter, as of July 25 (US Forest Service).

Related Stories:
Mesa Verde fire grows, nears ruins (7/25)
Fire threatens reservation, ruins (7/24)
Fire burns Pueblo land (7/24)

More Fire Stories:
Pueblo monument fire out of control (Enviro 05/08)
Fire closes National Laboratory (Enviro 05/09)
Pueblo affected by fire (Enviro 05/11)
Sacred site saved from fire (Enviro 5/15)
Fire burns Pueblo land (Enviro 5/16)
Clinton suspends prescribed burns (Enviro 5/17)
Pueblo seeks fire aid (Enviro 5/18)
Pueblo still affected by fire (Enviro 5/19)

Relevant Links:
The Bircher Fire Site, Type I Team - www.pnw-team3.com
The Bircher Fire Site, US Forest Service - www.fs.fed.us/r2/fire/bircher
The National Interagency Fire Center - www.nifc.gov
Mesa Verde National Park - www.nps.gov/meve/