Academy firefighters battle Waldo Canyon fire

Tech Sgt. Jason Linta, Bobby Garza and Dean Prestia cut lines to create a firebreak to prevent fires from jumping at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., on June 28, 2012. Sergeant Linta is a firefighter assigned to the Academy and Garza and Prestia are firefighters assigned to Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. The Waldo Canyon fire has destroyed more than 18,000 acres in the Colorado Springs area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Academy firefighters battle Waldo Canyon fire

Firefighters battle several fires in Waldo Canyon in Colorado Springs, Colo., on June 27, 2012. The fires, which have burned more than 15,000 acres, began spreading to the southwestern corner of the Academy causing base officials to evacuate residents. Officials estimated the fire had spread to about 10 acres of Academy land. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

Waldo Canyon Fires

U.S. Air Force Academy resident Emily Rich carrys a stuffed animal to the car as her family packs up their possessions during the Waldo Canyon Fire on the U.S. Air Force Academy June 27, 2012. Residents were allowed back after the initial evacuation for two hours to gather more belongings. The fires, which have burned more than 15,000 acres, began spreading to the southwestern corner of the Academy in the early morning, causing base officials to evacuate residents. Officials estimated that the fire had spread to about 10 acres of land belonging to the Academy. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

Waldo Canyon Fires

A helicopter drops water on the fire as firefighters continued to battle the blaze that burned into the evening hours in Waldo Canyon on the U.S. Air Force Academy June 27, 2012. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

Waldo Canyon Fires

A helicopter drops water on the fire as firefighters continued to battle the blaze that burned into the evening hours in Waldo Canyon on the U.S. Air Force Academy June 27, 2012. The fires, which have burned more than 15,000 acres, began spreading to the southwestern corner of the Academy in the early morning, causing base officials to evacuate residents. Officials estimated that the fire had spread to about 10 acres of land belonging to the Academy. U.S. Air Force Photo by: Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

153rd Airlift Wing MAFFS

Capt. Michael Damron prepares for an upcoming Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System mission June 27, 2012. Damron is an active-duty Airman assigned to the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing. Damron is a C-130 Hercules navigator. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nichole Grady)