Lightning sparks 14 fires in northwest Colorado

ightning moving through northwestern Colorado last night ignited 14 fires in Moffat and Rio Blanco counties, including a 100-acre blaze that may be beneficial to BLM land northwest of Maybell.

"It's burned about 100 acres of mostly sage grass and juniper trees," said Lynn Barclay, spokeswoman for the Bureau of Land Management. "There are no structures around."

The whole area is very dry, with some stretches classified as extremely dry, she said.

Winds are expected to come out of the southwest, blowing the fire to the northeast.

Two engines and a hand crew are working the fire, with crew members digging lines.

"We have a confinement strategy, trying to take advantage of any natural barriers, like rocky outcroppings or rivers that can form a barrier to the fire's spread," Barclay said.

The fire could help regenerate grasses, open up some meadow areas and rid the area of decaying trees, she said.