LAWSON, Colo. – Crews hope to have a wildfire off Interstate 70 in Clear Creek County contained by Friday night, officials said in an update.
The wildfire, known as the Red Elephant Hill Fire, broke out about 2:40 p.m. Friday, just north of I-70 in Lawson and spread to about 10 acres. A person caused the fire, according to the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office, but more information about how the fire started wasn't available.
The fire was about 20% contained Friday morning. Smoke could be seen drifting off a hillside off the highway, about 40 miles west of Denver, but there was no threat to the public or the roadway, officials said.
Crews were monitoring the hot and dry weather conditions but hoped to contain the fire by Friday night. Highs were expected to reach the mid-90s in the Denver area on Friday, with gusty evening storms developing in the mountains.