Highlands Ranch Brush Fire

Photo courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue

On November 13th, 2020 South Metro Fire Rescue Tower 18 was dispatched to an outside smoke investigation on Back Country Dr. in Highlands Ranch. Additional 911 callers reported a fast-spreading vegetation fire, and the incident was upgraded to a large brush fire. Douglas County Sheriff issued a Code Red notification with evacuation orders. First arriving Brush 18 found a working grass fire along the fence line of several homes, spreading rapidly to the east in high winds. Brush 18 attacked the right flank and Battalion Chief 1 assumed command at the heel of the fire with Battalion 2 assisting. Brush 17 and Brush Engine 40 were assigned to the left flank, Engine 16 was assigned to structure protection and Engine 15 mopped up the heel. Safety 18 and Safety 12 were assigned as incident safety officers and lookouts. Medic 18 evaluated one patient for smoke inhalation who was not transported to the hospital. The fire was quickly contained with no structural damage, additional units were canceled, and evacuation notifications were promptly lifted. The fire burned approximately 1.4 acres and thankfully no injures occurred. Fire Investigators determined the fire was caused from hot work being done by a landscaping company building a pool. Investigators issued a citation to the landscaping company for recklessness, equivalent to 4th degree arson. Additional information provided by South Metro Fire Rescue

Units on Scene: Battalion Chief 1, Battalion Chief 2, Safety 18, Safety 12, Med 1, Brush 17, Brush 18, Engine 16, Engine 15, Brush Engine 40, Brush Engine 39, Medic 18, Tender 45, Bureau 21, Bureau 23, PIO 10, PIO 11 & Rehab 12

MetCom: IDT30 & IDT39

Douglas County Sheriff & Arapahoe Rescue Patrol