Hot Weather Sparks Deadly Wildfires

Hundreds of miles of forest are on fire in the American West, due to dry weather, the mild winter that left little snow and some clumsy camping. Hundreds of firefighters are battling a Colorado wildfire -- one of 19 large fires burning in nine states. In New Mexico, more than 1,500 fire fighters are battling the largest blazes in state history.
	Officials say winds, low humidity and this year's chronic drought is the perfect recipe for the worst fire season in many years.
The fire in northern Colorado started with a camp stove. U.S. Forest Service investigators say 56-year-old James Weber, a mental health counselor at Colorado State University, tried to stamp out the fire Monday but then fled as the blaze spread. There is no cell phone service in the area where the fire started, and Weber could not contact fire officials right away The Forest Service issued Weber a citation for causing a fire without a permit. He faces a $300 fine, and perhaps more depending on how much damage is caused. Weber "is most concerned about what's going on now," his lawyer said, adding that he is focused on the well-being of the firefighters, residents and wildlife in the area.