AURORA, Colo. — Aurora firefighters were dispatched to two vegetation fires that sparked within minutes of each other Monday amid high winds and dry conditions.
The wind speed in the area on Monday afternoon reached 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, resulting in conditions prime for fires spreading in dry vegetation, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder. A red flag warning was in effect until 7 p.m.
Aurora Fire Rescue said the first fire was reported around 3:15 p.m. in Jewell Wetlands Park, located at 13005 E. Jewell Avenue. Large flames were seen as the fire moved through the trees and grass.
AFR said its firefighters had to use "progressive packs" since the brush trucks were not able to drive to the flames.
Around 4:13 p.m., the department said they had stopped the fire's progress and were working on containing it and extinguishing the burning trees. This will be "an extended operation," the department said.
The fire was contained to roughly two acres.
- Aurora Fire Rescue shared the below video of the fire scene at the Jewell Wetlands.
At 3:19 p.m., AFR was dispatched to a second wildland fire that sparked in the open space behind the 8000 block of S. Kewanee Street, just northwest of the intersection of S. Sampson Gulch Way and S. Powhaton Road.
The department said the wind-driven grass fire spread to roughly two to three acres and was dangerously close to homes before it was contained.
At one point, AFR's Brush Engine 13 ran out of water while battling the blaze, according to the department.
These Aurora fires were about a 30-minute drive apart.
- Below is a look at the scene of this second fire and how close it came to homes.
No structures were damaged in either fire, and no injuries were reported. The cause of both fires is under investigation.
AFR said it upstaffed four extra brush trucks due to the predicted conditions.
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A grass fire also broke out in Larimer County earlier in the day, forcing mandatory and voluntary evacuations. Both have been lifted and that fire is now 100% contained.
- Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo said high winds will keep a red flag warning in place until 7 p.m. Hear more of her forecast in the video below.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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