Strontia Springs Brush Fire

Photo courtesy of West Metro Fire Rescue

On September 21st, 2022 at 02:56 Jeffcom dispatched West Metro Fire Rescue Engine 15 and Brush 15 to a reported wildfire in Waterton Canyon near the Strontia Springs Dam. Engine 15 arrived to active fire burning on steep rugged slope and started fire attack with Brush 15. Battalion Chief 1 arrived and assumed command and requested the U.S. Forest Service to respond. Crews were able to quickly slow the fire’s progress, firefighters built a hose line to get water up slope from the engine to the fire, while digging a fire line around the perimeter. Crews worked on hot spots within the fire area for several hours. The fire was caused by rodents chewing on wires in an electric box which shorted out the system, causing arcing and sparking, and igniting the dry grass. The fire burned about half an acre and no structures were threatened. Additional information provided by West Metro Fire Rescue

West Metro: District 3, SAM 2, Engine 15, Brush 15, Engine 9 & Brush 9

Added: Engine 13, Brush 13, Medic 13, Truck 14, Engine 11, Brush 11, Medic 12, Bureau 7 & PIO

South Metro Fire Rescue: Battalion Chief 1, Safety 18, Brush 19, Tender 40 & Tender 34

Douglas County Office of Emergency Management: OEM 23

U.S. Forest Service: Division 11

Pike Interagency Hotshot Crew, Denver Water & Xcel Energy