Evacuations Lifted As Firefighters Gain Control Of Fire Near Highlands Ranch
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (CBS4) - A grass fire that broke out in Douglas County early Friday afternoon forced some from their homes and closed a highway. All evacuations were lifted by 5 p.m. after fire crews gained the upper hand on the fire.
The fire, dubbed the Chatridge Fire, had burned at least 205 acres by 3 p.m. after it ignited south of Highlands Ranch in Douglas County. The fire was fully contained 5 p.m.
All evacuations were lifted and residents were allowed to return home. No structures were damaged.
Some large homes were near the burn area which spread quickly due to dry conditions and strong winds.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office tweeted an update on evacuations for residents living within a half-mile of the Sundial House.
DCSO is issuing an evacuation notice for residents living within 1/2 mile of the Sundial House in Backcountry due to a grassfire.
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) October 28, 2016
Douglas County Schools tweeted an update on the rerouting of students who have a bus stop in the Sundial Backcountry area. Those students will be dropped off at ThunderRidge High School where parents can pick them up.
Transportation is rerouting students who have a bus stop in the Sundial Backcountry area to ThunderRidge HS, where parents may pick them up.
— Douglas County School District (@dcsdk12) October 28, 2016
The fire was located on the east side of Highway 85 south of Titan Road. Highway 85 was closed at 2:30 p.m. and reopened by 5 p.m. with intermittent closures as fire crews continue in and out of the area.
Evacuated residents can go to Cherry Hills Community Church at 3900 Grace Blvd. in Highlands Ranch.
South Metro Fire Rescue tweeted an update on resources ordered to help fight the fire.
Structures threatened in Chatfield Estates and Back Country subdivisions. Multiple fire crews and air resources requested.
— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) October 28, 2016
An air tanker began making slurry drops and a helicopter made water drops.
Multiple fire crews responded to the fire.
So far it's not clear how the fire started.
The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor showed drought has crept deeper into Douglas County in recent weeks.
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