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Crews Continue to Battle Crystal Fire, Gov. Authorizes $1.7 Million to Fight Blaze

A Type 1 Incident Team has taken over command of the Crystal Fire west of Fort Collins. So far the blaze has charred about 3,200 acres and destroyed 15 homes, but officials say that could increase as windy conditions pick up again today.

Helicopters dropped water and fire retardant on the area yesterday as about 200 firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Captain of Public Affairs at Poudre Fire Authority Patrick Love says the Type 1 Team is the most experienced kind to manage the blaze.

“To give you an example of why we bring in Type 1 teams it could be fire complexity, it could be size, and it could be outlook of a particular fire,” he said.

An air tanker was grounded on Monday so ground crews could make maximum progress. Governor John Hickenlooper authorized $1.7 million in state dollars to help pay firefighting costs. Meantime, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal dollars to help.