Fireworks possibly involved in grass fire, neighbors frustrated

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) responded to a one-acre grass fire behind Explorer Elementary School yesterday, July 21.

According to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), initial reports indicate that fireworks may have been involved in the ignition.

The fire was about the size of a football field when CSFD first responded.

It was dry, hot and windy outside, and CSFD said it didn’t take long for the fire to grow to a full acre in these conditions.

Becky Hunter's home sits right behind where the fire started.

She is all too familiar with the fire danger in Southern Colorado. Her daughter recently had to evacuate from the "Rock Creek" fire. Becky was ready to leave if she had to.

“I was spraying down the fence, but if the wind turned, I was going to go start grabbing the heirlooms and throw them in the truck,” Becky said.

Almost three weeks since the Fourth of July, Becky said she has still been hearing fireworks going off multiple times a week. 

Becky said she and her neighbors are getting frustrated.

“People like to go up on the ridge there and pop them off, and it’s great in a good year because we can go up there and see them all over the city," Becky said. "But it was just too dangerous this year, and it’s really scary.”

In the last five days, CSPD has received 31 calls for fireworks complaints.

KRDO13 spoke with witnesses who said they heard the distinct pop of fireworks before seeing several people run from the scene.

CSPD said the investigation is still ongoing, and the exact cause has not been determined.

Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.