FOX31 Denver

Dry conditions spark fires throughout northern Colorado

Fire on 10.11.15

GREELEY, Colo. — Colorado firefighters had a busy day Sunday as three large ground fires ripped across northern and eastern parts of the state.

Northeast Colorado hit a record high temperature of 86 degrees on Sunday. Wind gusts also reached up to 45 mph in some spots, creating hazardous fire conditions.

Around 11 a.m., eight fire departments responded to a ground fire in Bennett in Arapahoe County, scorching about 100 acres. Two sheds and 12 vehicles were engulfed. Two firefighters were treated for minor injuries.

Around the same time, a fire spread through Wellington in Larimer County. The Wellington Fire Department estimated 400 acres were involved.

The fire threatened several homes and residents had to be evacuated. Fire crews from five agencies responded and were able to get the fire out before any buildings were damaged. No one was hurt.

Wellington Fire Department spokeswoman Letitia Betchatl said considering the conditions, the fire did relatively little damage.

Just before 1 p.m., a third fire took over part of Greeley near East 16th Street and Balsam Avenue. Several structures were damaged, including a barn and siding on nearby homes. A woodpile also caught fire. No injuries were reported.

A large portion of northeastern Colorado was under a red flag warning at the time the three fires started.

“When it’s dry outside, those embers can live in the air when they fly off of the fire itself and it can spark anywhere,” Pinpoint Weather meteorologist Mark Monstrola said.

Areas near Greeley and Wellington have not had substantial rain in at least six weeks. The dried-up vegetation acts as a fuel for the fire and is spread through the wind.

“Once [the fire] starts, it’s containing it that is the biggest problem,” Monstrola said.

Fire crews in all three locations contained the fires shortly after they started.

 

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