400-Acre Grass Fire Prompts Evacuations In West Denver Suburb


Updated Monday, Feb. 8, 2021 at 10:10 a.m.
More than 100 firefighters responded to a fire near Fox Hollow Golf Course and Bear Creek Lake Park in Jefferson County on Sunday afternoon.
Propelled east by the wind, the fire also prompted evacuations of a large swath of metro neighborhoods, from C-470 east to Kipling Parkway and from U.S. 285 north to Morrison Road.
Majority of the #MorrisonRoadFire is out, crews are still working hotspots in drainages. There is structure protection in place, however no structures are currently threatened. Evacuation is still in place for the Fox Hollow and Homestead neighborhoods. pic.twitter.com/jRWo9ScUjh
— WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire) February 7, 2021
By about 4 p.m., West Metro Fire Rescue said they had most of the 446-acre fire under control and were extinguishing hot spots. It said 110 firefighters and 19 engines were on the scene after the fire broke out around 1 p.m.
Just after 6 p.m., the agency reported that the fire has been determined to be human-caused, but said on Twitter that, "it's not known if it was accidental or intentional." West Metro Fire Rescue requested anyone with information about how it started to call 303-539-9531.
UPDATE: Multi-mission aircraft (MMA)flight over the #MorrisonRoadFire (also known as the #BearCreekFire) has the fire at 446 acres tonight. This video shows what it was like on the ground this afternoon. Fire size could be adjusted when crews get a better look after sunrise. pic.twitter.com/1re0K6u0Ja
— WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire) February 8, 2021
The evacuation order was lifted around 7 p.m., but residents in the nearby neighborhoods were still under pre-evacuation until at least 7 a.m. Monday. But West Metro crews were still patrolling the fire late into the evening.
The fire district said, "The forecast is calling for a windy evening, and those winds could pick up embers from the interior and carry them for quite some distance, causing spot fires," in a tweet.
Another grass fire was also ignited in south Denver near the Cherry Creek Reservoir. That fire also forced evacuations around South Parker Road.
**The eastern most fire line near the structures is controlled. No damages to homes. Crews still working on active flames on the western flank.** Here’s a look at the large flame lengths close to homes on the east side of the fire and the burn scar towards the end of the video. pic.twitter.com/njK57zUpHq
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) February 8, 2021
South Metro Fire Rescue spokesperson Connor Christian said Monday morning that the fire was believed to be contained and no longer growing. Evacuations for residents on the west side of South Parker Road were lifted by 6 p.m. on Sunday and those homes are no longer threatened.
Snow fell lightly on the fire overnight, but Monday brought the possibility of more winds and red flag conditions. Investigators were only able to start work identifying the point of ignition in the morning and have not yet determined whether the fire was human-caused.
Cherry Creek State Park is open but trails on the east side of the park, and the road from the eastern entrance to the shooting range, remain closed as mop-up operations continue in the area.
🚩🔥 @CPWCCSP fire a.m. update: *The fire is currently not growing larger.* Crews are continuing mop up in areas with trees. The big challenge today will be a Red Flag warning - with wind & dry conditions. Residents nearby should expect to see smoke as fire suppression continues. https://t.co/bzeeTCsAFr
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) February 8, 2021
A cold front moved into the area from the west on Sunday evening, according to the National Weather Service. It said the wind will slow and the humidity will rise from 8 percent to 70 percent by sunset, which will ease the dangerous fire conditions.
"Any moisture helps," Christian said.
Daniel J. Schneider contributed to this report.
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