A wildfire breaks out on the Bookcliffs Wednesday afternoon June 27th, 2012, covering the Grand Valley in smoke.

Pushed to the east by a north wind, the Pine Ridge Fire burns through vegetation on De Beque Canyon’s west walls and alongside the Colorado River.

One Bell 212 helicopter, top, carries a full bucket of water in to drop on the fire line as another heads back to the river with an empty bucket to get more water after making its drop during firefighting efforts along the north perimeter of the Pine Ridge Fire Sunday.

A victorious Rose Pugliese hugs friend and supporter Sue Benjamin of Grand Junction outside the Blue Moon Bar & Grille on North Seventh Street on Tuesday. Pugliese prevailed over her opponent, Woody Walcher, in Tuesday’s primary election race for Mesa County commissioner.

One-year-old Jasmine Breckenridge from Clifton takes a ride on the dinosaur ride at Dinosaur Journey Museum this morning.

J.C. Johnston, 8, from , left, Gabriel Baleztena, 6, and Katie Johnston, 6,  all of the Loma area, goof around on a fence at the Rim Rock Rodeo recently while watching the mutton busting event.

Cesar Galvez slides safely into home as Orem pitcher Patrick Lowery covers the bag.

Dave Roper and Bear ride in 10 miles to work at the Grand Junction City Hall this morning as part of bike to work day. The city was serving breakfast for bikers riding to work. Roper said Bear did not help much with the peddling but was not a back-seat driver.

Dr. Calvin Pearson, second from left, of the Western Colorado Research Center near Fruita explains some aspects of Western Colorado irrigation to a group from Pakistan.

A cowboy works his horse at the Mesa County Fairgrounds as the sun sets in the west.

Joe Ramey shows a model of how during a monsoon, which is the weather pattern that will bring rain to the area, moisture comes up from the south into Colorado.

The sun peeks under a thick layer of smoke as it sets in a scene a few miles east of Cimarron on U.S. Highway 50. Three southern Colorado fires, the Little Sand, State Line or Weber Fire could have made this thick cloud of smoke.

Blue Mesa Lake is low and dropping as seen from the Lake City Bridge on the east side of the lake.

There still is plenty of water for fishing and recreation on most Colorado waters, including the Gunnison River. But that may change if drought conditions continue or worsen. A temporary, voluntary ban on fishing and water recreation was issued last week for the Yampa River through Steamboat Springs.

Zay Lopez, left and Bob Beasly working in the fields at Bob’s farm at 3334 E 1/4 Rd

Grand Junction Rockies infielder Cesar Galvez signs an autograph for Miranda Powell and her sister, Mallori Powell before the Rockies’ exhibition game.

Drake Giese hits a forehand against Max Proietti at the Community Hospital Junior Tournament at the Elliott Tennis Center. Giese won 6-3, 6-4.

Scholtzsky’s deli was damaged by a fire Friday afternoon.

Jimmy McNally of the Instigators plays a lead at the Crome Buffalo at the second 2012 ANB Bank Farners Market. Each block features different entertainment.

The lemonade was good for three of the four ladies at the second ANB Bank Farmers Market of 2012.

Country Jam fans fill a parking lot as the festival begins Thursday afternoon.

John Fogerty plays on Friday night at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

Dobro master Jerry Douglas plays with Union Station.

Seth Arseneau from Albuquerque, New Mexico rides his hand powered bike along Highway 6 in Rifle Monday afternoon. Arseneau is an Army Veteran and one of about 18 vets riding from San Francisco, CA to Virginia Beach, Virginia.A ride on the road of about 3,700 miles.

The Frog & Toad Band play at the Kids tent at the Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival Sunday in Riverbend Park in Palisade.

Leonard Felix, owner of Olathe Spray Service Inc., works on a spray helicopter, one of which his son, Deven, flew to drop water on the June 8 Cedaredge fire.

A helicopter drops water on a hot spot near a residence northeast of Cedaredge Friday as firefighters work to contain the fire below.

J.D. TenNapel and his father James talk about what happened during the fire.  J.D. was caught in the wildfire after he drove an ATV to his neighbors to warn them.

Former Colorado Mesa University ball player and Grand Junction Rockies crowd favorite Jeff Popick skirts the Idaho Falls’ catcher Jin-Ho Shin to score on a double by Ryan Garvey in the bottom of the second inning of Saturday’s game at Suplizio Field.

Fans packed the stands at Suplizio Field for the home opener game between the Grand Junction Rockies and the Idaho Falls Chukars Saturday

Avery Pope swims the 11-12 100 meter freestyle heat 2.

A customized ‘23 T owned by Teddy Jordan is reflected in the hubcap of a 1930 model A Ford coupe owned by Gerald Dillon, both of Grand Junction at the 37th annual AutoFest car Show At Lincoln Park Saturday.

Walkers with Relay for Life pass a luminario with a touching message from a child to Mom at dusk Friday. The message on the luminario dedicated to Veronica Clark reads, in part, “I will fine a cure for cancer Mom.”

From left, Lexi Dreelan, 2, and Madyson Digregorio, 4, dance to the tunes in the 600 block of Main Street.

Old Glory surrounds Dale Maxwell of Hotchkiss, a Korean and Vietnam war veteran, who is having a smoke as he visits the Verterans Affairs Medical Center in Grand Junction for an all day appointment on Flag Day. Maxwell says he gets around Hotchkess on a golf cart which has twelve flags displayed.

Amber Nicole Reak, mother of Owen Reak, wipes tears away from her eyes during a vigil and balloon release Tuesday at the old Mesa County Courthouse. Nineteen-month-old Owen died last year, a victim of suspected child abuse.

Thirteen-year-old Jonathan Blair of Grand Junction practices at the marble rings at Lincoln Park on Monday afternoon. Blair has qualified and is going to the 89th annual National Marbles Tournament in Wildwood, N.J., on June 17 - 21. In last year’s tournament, Blair finished in fourth place.

Winner Erik Hemstad finishes the road course at the sprint triathlon.

Drew Trujillo of Montrose chips onto the tenth green during play at the 51st annual Home Loan Colorado West Amateur golf tournament Friday at Bookcliff Country Club.

Silhouetted against the fairground stands, Thena Walton of Collbran warms up with her horse Tango in the arena before the driver class competition of the Grand Valley Dressage Society’s event at the Mesa County Fairgrounds Sunday.

A great horned owl focuses on an intruder at the Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation in Silt.

Porter Maxwell celebrates his 4th birthday with his father, Chris Maxwell while on the putt putt golf course at Bananas Fun Park, 2469 Riverside Parkway in Grand Junction.The park is opened Sunday-Friday 11am to 10pm and Saturday 10a to 10pm.

Venus can be seen as a shadow as the Sun sets over Colorado National Monument.

Georgeann Smith feeds Casper, a young steer that will one day go from Smith’s ranch near Palisade to a dinner table. Purchasing bulk meat — steer or hog — is a way to support local growers and to know where your food has come from.

Four-year-old Jessie Pedersen of Grand Junction fits her hands into the ceramic impressions of a donor to United Way as she glances up at her parents Sunday.

A girl jumps from the bridge over the main lake at the Confluence Park in Delta to cool off, weather conditions continue to be hot and dry.

Two-year-old Jaela Bercher of Grand Junction eyes another water feature to head toward as she plays in one of the fountains at Lincoln Park – Moyer pool on Thursday.