Firefighters reached 100 percent containment on the 3,218 acre Royal Gorge Fire late Sunday but local residents still can expect to see small smoke plumes coming from the fire's interior.
 
The main portion of the Royal Gorge Fire threw up a little smoke again Sunday as the wind picked up and a little rain fell on the site, said Mike Smith, fire information officer.
 
"We haven't had much fire beyond a little smoldering and creeping. The important thing is that we've secured the edges and we are pretty confident with the containment," Smith explained.
 
The fire will not be completely out for another five to seven days, he said, depending on wind conditions.
 
"People in Dawson Ranch will still be seeing smoke, especially if the wind blows, but we will have a couple of engines out every day to put out anything that flares up," Smith said.
 
Sunday's lightning and rain also ignited two small fires, one the size of a half-acre near the Colorado 9 and High Park Road intersection and another three miles west of the Royal Gorge Fire in the McIntyre Hills area off Copper Gulch Road, Smith said.
 
"The fuels are very dry so with any strike, they are just receptive to burning," Smith said.
 
Efforts Sunday to remove four cables from the Arkansas River again were stalled because one cable still is attached to the tram car and others are hooked around rock pinnacles which could be knocked down if the cables are tugged on, Smith said.
 
Work will continue today to remove the cables under the direction of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.
 
Until engineers give the OK, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad will continue to run a shorter distance into the canyon where views still are spectacular, said Kelly Pascal Gould, train spokeswoman.
 
Also today, the Rocky Mountain Team B will hand the fire oversight back to the local BLM office for mop-up.
 
Some of the team will stay together in Pueblo for at least the first half of the week so they can be deployed to any new fires that spark nearby, Smith said.
 
Others will lend a hand with a fire near Pagosa Springs.
 
Smith said firefighters felt the love that Cañon City residents gave Friday night as about 500 gathered in Veterans Park waving signs of appreciation during the end of the Friday fire shift.
 
"We always get thanks but Cañon City is notable," Smith said.
 
Tracy Harmon.