CSFD praises neighbors efforts fighting grass fire but warns of the dangers

The Colorado Springs Fire Department is defending its response to a grass fire that burned 20 acres near East Fountain Boulevard and Academy Park Loop on Tuesday.

Neighbors acted quickly with buckets, hoses and shovels trying to snuff out the flames.

Some fences were burned but no homes were damaged.

But some told us that the Fire Department response was slow.

CSFD says firefighters responded appropriately and had good cooperation from neighboring agencies.

While the department credits neighbors for pitching in, doing so can be dangerous. Battalion Chief Troy Branham Colorado Springs Fire Department explained.

“Even though they (grass fires) seem like a fairly benign issue, you being out there as a homeowner and really not trained and understanding fire behavior, what’s potentially coming at you, you could find yourself in significant danger very quick.”

Branham added that the Fire Department has enhanced protocols when Red Flag warnings are in place.