Brush fire in Cherry Creek State Park burns to over 200 acres, containment expected
A brush fire that ignited Sunday evening continued throughout Monday in Cherry Creek State Park, burning more than 200 acres so far.
As of 11:30 a.m. Monday, the fire has burned 234 acres and is 50% contained, according to officials from South Metro Fire Rescue who are leading the fire response effort.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials who manage the park said full containment is expected by the end of Monday night.
A drone’s view from above the @CPWCCSP burn scar provided by SMFR’s UAV Team. You can see how close the fire got to the homes west of Parker Rd. Firefighters will wrap up at sunset tonight, rangers will patrol overnight and a task force will back out again on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/JRfQpySIDN
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) February 8, 2021
The fire has spread to the shoreline of the Cherry Creek Reservoir and advanced toward the border of the Park Villas neighborhood. There has not been any damage to buildings or houses.
All evacuations in connection to the fire were lifted Sunday night after being put in place soon after the fire began burning at 4 p.m.
Firefighters worked to put out spot fires and contain the perimeter Monday; however, weather conditions were difficult. A red flag warning was issued for the area Monday morning due to high winds and dry conditions.
Despite this, South Metro officials said the fire is not growing any larger.
Current conditions at Cherry Creek State Park: 13 degrees, winds 8-10 mph with windchill at zero. Conditions are cold enough to freeze water pumps on the fire engines. The fire remains very active, spreading toward the reservoir shoreline. #cowx pic.twitter.com/UNbg1QBDtM
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) February 8, 2021
Crews will continue to monitor the fire overnight Monday and send out another task force in the early morning, South Metro officials said.
Crews monitored the fire Sunday night, facing 13-degree temperatures and 8-10 mph winds. Officials said the extreme cold froze the fire engines’ water pumps. Light snow fell on the fire with little effect.
Prior to that, crews intentionally burned grass in the area and laid a wet line along one of the park’s concrete trails Sunday evening to try to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Residents near the park should expect to see smoke into Tuesday morning. The road behind Cherry Creek State Park was closed Monday as firefighting efforts continued.
A map showing the estimated burn area at Cherry Creek State Park. pic.twitter.com/TRSXm6pfpK
— CPW NE Region (@CPW_NE) February 8, 2021
The west side of the park is set to reopen Tuesday morning, officials said.
Officials said the fire is being considered a wildland interface fire, meaning it has the potential to involve buildings and forest fuel or vegetation simultaneously.
There is not yet any information on how the fire started.
The Aurora Fire Rescue, Franktown Fire Department, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, Arapahoe Rescue Patrol and Colorado Parks and Wildlife assisted South Metro in response efforts.