NATIONAL BRIEFS

NATIONWIDE: 19 fires in nine states

A wildfire 60 miles away wrapped Denver in a pungent cloud of smoke for hours Tuesday and complicated the aerial offensive against the mountain blaze, which has killed one person and destroyed 100 structures. In southern New Mexico, a 56-square-mile fire threatening the village of Ruidoso damaged or destroyed 224 homes and cabins. With 19 large fires in nine states, President Barack Obama called Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper to assure him that the federal government stood ready to provide personnel, equipment and grants.

WASHINGTON: Bryson's leave indefinite

There is no timetable for Commerce Secretary John Bryson's return from medical leave, the White House said Tuesday as California officials indicated he may not face criminal charges if a blood test shows no sign of drugs or alcohol. President Barack Obama spoke with Bryson, 68, in the morning about the secretary's seizure connected to two traffic accidents Saturday. Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank was named acting secretary.

GEORGIA: Soldier guilty of killing 2

Spc. Neftaly Platero was found guilty Tuesday of killing two roommates in 2010 at a U.S. base camp in Iraq, where prosecutors said he opened fire after complaining that the victims had let their room get too messy. Platero, 34, of Kingwood, Texas, was found guilty of two counts of premeditated murder and one of attempted premeditated murder. Prosecutors said he opened fire as his roommates readied for bed at Camp Fallujah on Sept. 23, 2010. Pfc. Gebrah Noonan, 26, of Watertown, Conn., and Spc. John Carrillo Jr., 20, of Stockton, Calif., were slain.