AURORA | Firefighters from several local agencies continue to battle a large grassfire at Cherry Creek State Park Monday morning, more than 16 hours after the blaze was reported on the east side of the Arapahoe County green space.
Authorities with South Metro Fire Rescue first reported the fire shortly after 4 p.m. Feb. 7, according to tweets. Aurora residents living just south of the Meadow Hills neighborhood received emergency notifications, while some were asked to evacuate as the flames crept toward homes near South Parker Road and South Abilene Circle.
No injuries were reported, and no homes were burned as of about 9 a.m. Monday morning, according to Connor Christian, spokesperson for South Metro Fire.
Early estimates suggested the fire was as large as 150 acres at its peak, though drone operators with South Metro Fire are expected to pinpoint a more accurate size of the fire Monday.
The fire is no longer growing, but firefighters continue to mitigate hotspots and battle high winds, according to South Metro Fire officials.
Despite a dusting of a snow at the park late Sunday night, a red flag warning for the area on Monday has kept several personnel in the area.
“With the red flag warning today, anything can happen,” Christian said. “There is the potential for growth in whatever way the wind is pointing, but this morning they’re working on keeping it contained.”
Fire officials from Aurora and Franktown assisted South Metro authorities Sunday, though no Aurora firefighters were on scene as of Monday morning, according to a spokesperson for Aurora Fire Rescue.
While it abuts Aurora, Cherry Creek State Park falls within the jurisdiction of South Metro Fire and does not technically fall within Aurora city limits.
Investigators are still looking into possible ignition sources of the fire, according to Christian.
Following evacuations Sunday, the majority of the park remains open, according to a spokesperson for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The road behind the eastern entrance station is closed, as are several trails in the nearby wetland area.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story wrongly stated the name of the was the Morrison Road Fire. That fire was in Lakewood.
What purpose does the word “technically” serve? Are there locations that are in Aurora but “technically not within city limits”? Or locations outside of Aurora that are “technically within city limits”? NO – either a location is within Aurora city limits, or it’s not. Why can’t Mr. Snowdon simply write “Cherry Creek State Park falls within the jurisdiction of South Metro Fire and does not fall within Aurora city limits”?
One cause maybe homeless camps that are in the area. They continue to migrate out of downtown given decay and are camping in the park.