Watch CBS News

Wind Makes Things Tough For Firefighters Battling Grass Fire

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - Firefighters got a grass fire under control near a reservoir in Aurora early Saturday afternoon.

Grass Fire In Aurora
(credit: CBS)

The fire broke out just after 1 p.m. by the Quincy Reservoir and officials said windy conditions stoked the blaze, which had flames as high as 20 feet at one point.

"I was talking on the phone and somebody knocks on the door, they told me to get out my house was on fire," said resident Diana Rushin.

Her house wasn't on fire but the open space behind it, close to seven acres was.

It burned an entire open space area between two neighborhoods.

"The wind, the relative humidity and the temperature, those all have to fall into certain alignment, and that will carry the fire and make it grow bigger quicker," said Aurora Fire Department spokeswoman Capt. Diane Lord.

When fire crews got to the scene they had to tear down a fence in a backyard of one home to get access.

"The firemen started coming up here back towards the house and they say can we get into your backyard, can we cut your fence I say go right ahead. There were flames shooting up an there was a lot of smoke it was kind of scary," said neighbor Kay Nelson.

Grass Fire In Aurora
(credit: CBS)

The smoke could be seen as far away as Interstate 25.

"It was huge -- the flames were huge," said Diana Rushin, a neighbor. "It was coming fast because of the wind. It was really scary."

No one was injured in the fire. So far there's no word on what triggered the fire.

Grass Fire In Aurora
(credit: CBS)

CBS4's Dave Aguilera said humidity levels on Saturday afternoon were only at about 15 percent. The highest recorded wind gust in Denver was 37 mph and the thermometer climbed to 78 degrees.

RELATED: Fire Danger To Increase Across Colorado Ahead Of Weekend Storm

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.