Cooler temperatures and lighter winds helped firefighters trying to control a 10,424-acre fire near Storm King Mountain on Monday.

Garfield County Assessor Shannon Hurst estimated damage to homes at $4.5 million. Twenty-eight homes were destroyed, and three were damaged. Some outbuildings also were feared lost.

The cost of fighting the fire was estimated to have reached $522,000 by Tuesday.

A total of 482 firefighters were battling the blaze, helped by retardant drops from air tankers Monday. Winds had been so strong on Sunday that only a few drops were made.

National Guardsmen sent to the area to help maintain security were likely to begin going home if conditions continue to improve.

Sheriff Tom Dalessandri said he believed 300 to 500 people were still waiting to return to their homes.

Up to 3,000 had been evacuated at the height of the fire. Most were allowed to return but were told to be prepared to flee at a moment's notice.

"We're going to put it in people's hands to be smart. Right now the threat is not imminent and the desire to return is," said Dalessandri.

The fire broke out on the steep flanks of Storm King Mountain, where 14 firefighters were killed in a July 1994 fire. Those deaths made fire bosses very reluctant to put firefighters on the mountain when winds were changing almost from hour-to-hour.

By Monday, crews were on the ground, building lines around the fire.

Saturday's fire started when a long-smoldering underground coal fire burst to the surface and raced through brush and trees. Much of Colorado is in a drought with the driest conditions in 100 years.

Previous Stories:

• June 10, 2002: Coal Seam Firefighters Hope Weather Cooperates
• June 9, 2002: Air Tankers Fighting Coal Seam Fire Grounded
• June 8, 2002 :Glenwood Springs Fire Gets Out Of Control