We've had a pretty calm fire season here in the Black Hills this year.But it's a different story in Colorado these days. Fire officials in Colorado say as many as 300 firefighters are at the scene of a blaze that continues to burn in the foothills near Boulder and more are on the way.

A spokeswoman says they're dealing with downed power lines, debris, poison ivy and rattlesnakes, and also have to watch for propane tanks in the area. Officials are looking for eight residents of the area who are unaccounted for.Black Hills area firefighters are helping out in Colorado ... and are ready to do more if they're needed.

Joe Lowe says, "We're here to support their resource needs and we've got plenty of resources. Resource orders are starting to come in. We're starting to receive orders for hand crews. Two hand crews left yesterday for the fire. We also have supported it with five fire managers or overhead positions."

Lowe says the two hand crews that left for the fire are the Rosebud and Tatanka Hot Shot crews. Lowe says he needs to balance the requests for help with the need to have enough resources still on hand here in the Black Hills.

Jack Caudill