Watch CBS News

Investigators: Mower Sparked Wildfire Near Fort Collins

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP/CBS4) — A wildfire near a heavily populated area in Colorado was sparked by a grass mower.

Investigators said Monday that metal from a lawnmower sparked the fire burned south of Fort Collins, which temporarily triggered an evacuation south of Horsetooth Reservoir on Saturday.

Spring Glade Fire
(credit: CBS)

However Bob Smith told the Coloradoan that he saw the Spring Glade Fire start as a contractor was mowing his property. He says the contractor hit a rock and either that or one of the gearboxes overheating sparked the fire.

He says it quickly took off in the wind toward an open space area.

The fire spread to about a half square mile (1.5 square kilometers) and has been 95 percent contained.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Living With Wildfire section.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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.