while flames can quickly consume large areas, as bob mackenzie first reported back in 1994, firefighters and homeowners have to protect the land foot by foot and house by house. >> this morning fire fighting crews massed up at the southeast end of the great cotton wood fire moving in toward the monster rather than waiting for it to come to them. it was expected to crest the mountains and head down the dry chaparral with a small city on its way. some of these firefighters were going on fumes after days of work but they were ready to make a stand this time to save individual farmhouses. >> the biggest concern we have is winds are picking up. we're getting spotty fire approximately .25-mile in front of the line. >> reporter: as the afternoon came up, it took a treacherous move to the north. and suddenly, the housing development called sierra brooks narrowly spared yesterday was knee deep in trouble again. it was still a mile away from sierra brooks the other end of that fire was once again advancing on the town and sending out advanced patrols. certain spot fires born in on the wind. once a