Third Alarm Vegetation Fire

Ethan Dunlop Photo ©

At 19:38 on July 4th, 2022 South Metro Fire Rescue and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to a reported small brush fire in the 3800 block of S. Himalaya Way. While enroute units were notified that a house was possibly on fire. Battalion 5 and Engine 23 observed a large plume of smoke coming into the scene. Units arrived on scene and found a large brush fire burning in heavy fuels moving towards structures. Firefighters went into the neighborhood off of Himalaya Way and started structure protection. The fire turned into a third alarm fire with units responding for structure protection in the neighborhoods. The fire was pushed in several directions by gusty winds from a dying thunderstorm, and flames were seen shooting over the rooftops of homes. At times the fire spread rapidly, sending embers into the sky, and sparking spot fires. While crews were working to control the fire, countless illegal fireworks were being shot off in the surrounding area, at the same time nearby homeowners were evacuating. By 20:45 the fire was 100% contained. No injuries occurred, and no structures were damaged. Witnesses saw aerial fireworks over the open space moments before the fire started and investigators determined that is the probable cause. Additional information provided by South Metro Fire Rescue

Units on Scene:

South Metro: District Chief 1, Battalion Chief 5, Battalion Chief 3, Safety 35, Med 1, Engine 23, Wildland 30, Engine 21, Engine 31, Engine 42, Brush 22, Brush 33, Brush 42, Brush 47, Bureau 22, Log 10, Tower 35, Tower 45, Medic 21, Medic 211 & Medic 23

Aurora: Battalion Chief 2, Battalion Chief 3, Brush 9, Brush 12, Brush 13, Brush Engine 13, Engine 6, Engine 10, Engine 15, Ladder 6 Ladder 13

Sable Altura Fire Rescue: Brush Engine 41 & Brush 41

Buckley Space Force Fire & Emergency Services: Engine 2 & Tender 8

Arapahoe County Sheriff Wildland Fire Team: H10 (OEM Manager)

Arapahoe Rescue Patrol: Rehab 12

South Metro Communications: IDT 2 & IDT 11

3rd Alarm (Structure Protection):

South Metro: Ops 14, Engine 41, Engine 44 & Engine 46

Buckley: Chief 2 & Engine 1

Bennett Watkins Fire Rescue: Brush 92 & Tender 92

Arapahoe County Sheriff & Aurora Police Department