Chatridge 3 Fire

At 10:38 on December 14th, 2021 South Metro Fire Rescue responded to Hwy. 85 and Chatridge Ct. in Douglas County after multiple 911 callers reported a grass fire. Upon arrival, crews observed a fast-moving grass fire on the northeast side of the intersection spreading uphill with homes threatened. Deputies from Douglas County Sheriff’s Office evacuated nearby residents as firefighters began an aggressive flanking attack on the flames. With humidity at 9% and winds gusting over 20 mph, a 2nd Alarm was transmitted, bringing additional personnel and equipment from across Douglas, Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties. A firefighting helicopter and reconnaissance airplane were also ordered, and a pre-evacuation warning was sent to residents in the Chatfield Estates community. By 11:44 the fire had grown to 24 acres and forward spread was stopped, as short time later the fire was declared 100% contained. Fire Investigators identified the area where the fire started along Hwy. 85 but were unable to determine exactly what sparked the fire. Common roadside brush fire causes include burning cigarettes thrown from vehicles, sparks from chains dragging on the roadway and occasionally, catalytic converter failure leading to hot metal ejected from exhaust pipes. No injuries occurred, and firefighters prevented the fire from damaging the threatened structures. The Chatridge Fire burned in the same area in October of 2016 and the Chatridge 2 Fire in June of 2020. Additional information was provided by South Metro Fire Rescue.

Douglas County Sheriff, Colorado State Patrol, South Metro Fire Emergency Communications, West Douglas County Fire Protection District, Douglas County Office of Emergency Management, West Metro Fire Rescue, Castle Rock Fire Rescue, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and Arapahoe Rescue Patrol