Dry conditions lead to several fires this week
Five fires in six days have all been caused by humans but driven by dry, windy conditions.
The first, on Saturday, burned more than 1,200 acres on a training range at Fort Carson. Smoke could be seen for miles and put people in the Turkey Creek area on edge. It’s the third fire at the mountain post in the past month.
Thursday was a big fire day. A photo sent by a viewer in Pueblo, showed a fire that started when a car backfired, igniting some spilled fuel.
Another fire in a creek bed in Penrose was contained to two acres, but the fire fight was difficult because of large dead trees.
Yet another grass fire near Calhan on Thursday burned 15 acres. Luckily, firefighters were able to contain it quickly. On Friday, a fire in Falcon threatened about a dozen homes before it was put out.
Volatile conditions will continue this weekend. A red flag warning went into effect for Saturday.
Tall, dry grasses and lack of moisture, plus something as simple as a vehicle malfunction, can easily spark a wildfire in this environment.
That’s what happened in Friday’s fire in Falcon, where 34 acres burned before firefighters got it under control. There was no damage to structures, but it did damage some fencing.
Several agencies responded, but firefighters say mitigation by area homeowners saved the day.
“One thing that helped firefighters tremendously with this fire was the fact that so many people had mowed their pastures and their lawns and their grasses around the house, so when the fire came through, it just basically dropped down from however high it was burning to ground level,” Robin Widmar, with the Falcon Fire Department, said.
Barry Walker, who lives in one of the homes threatened by Friday’s fire, had high praise for the firefighters.
“They did a great job. They got right out here and got to work and contained it very nicely,” he said.
Firefighters say wind was a factor in the fire, and heading into the weekend, they emphasize caution.
Avoid using outdoor tools or equipment that can create sparks and make sure to dispose of smoking materials properly.
