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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — A small brush fire caused by lightning forced the evacuation and closure of Waterton Canyon on Tuesday afternoon. The recreation area has reopened Wednesday.

West Metro Fire Rescue said the crews first responded to the fire about 1 p.m. As of midday Wednesday, the fire was 100 percent contained.

The area burned covered 2 1/2 acres, West Metro said. It is located south of Lockheed Martin’s Waterton facility. The area is near the Jefferson-Douglas county line.

No structures were threatened.

West Metro said about 50 firefighters responded.

South Metro Fire Rescue and Douglas County sheriff’s deputies assisted West Metro.

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