PHOTOS: President Obama in Colorado Springs to survey Waldo Canyon Fire

President Barack Obama praised first responders and firefighters during his tour Friday, June 29, 2012 in Colorado Springs of the Waldo Canyon Fire. “They are genuine heroes,” the president said. “We want to say thank you to all the folks involved in this. “They are putting their lives at risk to help us and to save us.” Obama said that though he considered the collaboration of local, state and federal agencies “outstanding,” the destruction of the early fire season demonstrated a need for long-term planning.