The academy's powered flight, glider and parachuting operations have been called off since Saturday so the U.S. Forest Service could use runways for helicopters fighting the fires along Colorado's Front Range, according to spokesman John Van Winkle.

However, the academy's Class of 2016 -- all 1,045 cadets -- arrived as scheduled Thursday, and in-processing and basic cadet training began, the academy said.

Colorado wildfires had consumed 181,426 acres by Wednesday afternoon, according to the Colorado Division of Emergency Management.

The largest of the fires was the High Park Fire, which began June 9 and has now consumed 87,284 acres, the U.S. Forest Service said. It was 85% contained Thursday. The total number of homes burned stood at 257. An estimated $36.4 million has been spent trying to contain the blaze.