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2 Juveniles Spotted Running Away After Deer Creek Canyon Park Fire Started

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - Officials say the Deer Creek Canyon Park Fire, which forced the evacuation of more than 300 homes on Thursday, was human caused. Some residents told authorities they heard explosions in the area of the wildfire and authorities say two juvenile males are now being sought.

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(credit: Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District)

"We've talked with witnesses, the witnesses have heard explosions. They saw smoke and then some witnesses have seen two juveniles running from the area," Jefferson County Sheriff's spokesman Mike Taplin said on Friday.

"They said they saw two kids running from the area so hopefully they catch them," Jim Abel, who lives in the area, told CBS4's Rick Sallinger.

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(credit: CBS)

The fire is now 100% contained and evacuations have been lifted.

"A lot of people live up here and you could be putting a lot of people out of their homes", said Abel.

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No structures were lost, nor was anyone hurt. Many of the homes are expensive dwellings perched in the dramatic landscape of Deer Creek Canyon.

The burn area was estimated at between 20 and 25 acres.

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(credit: Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District)

"We can see that area that got burned it could have gone in another direction and gotten scary," said resident Greg Rose.

"Be a little careful there's still a little fire but it's blocked off," a Jefferson County deputy warned one motorist.

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(credit: CBS)

The canyon was reopened to regular traffic, but three parks remained closed.

Anyone with information that might be helpful to Jefferson County authorities in their investigation is asked to call 303-271-0211.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Colorado Wildfires section.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

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

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