Elbert County Chaparral Fire

Eric Hurst Photo ©

On July 9th, 2026 at 12:27 North Central Fire Protection District was dispatched to an outside smoke investigation the area of Way of Patience and Way of Joy. Chief 240 reported a column of smoke visible from a distance and requested mutual-aid from Kiowa Fire Protection District, Agate Fire Protection District and Elbert Fire Protection District. Topography and rugged terrain made reconnaissance very challenging and smoke began to worsen as trees torched. Brush 242 was the first unit to arrive on scene and reported a confirmed fire burning in a deep ravine with heavy grass, brush, and timber fuels. The best access was found at County Rd, 166 and Topaz Drive where firefighters had to off-road a couple miles northwest to the fire. Douglas OEM Helitack and 5TA provided ground and air support, and additional Type VI engines were ordered from Elizabeth Fire Protection District and Rattlesnake Fire Protection District. No structures were threatened, no evacuations were necessary, no injuries occurred and the command called the fire contained around 16:30 at approximately 15 to 20 acres. This fire was likely caused by a hold over lightning strike from July 8th, 2026, when the nearby 178 Fire occurred in Elbert County and burned approximately 60 acres.

North Central: Chief 240, Chief 241, Brush 242, Brush 243, Brush 244, Tender 241 & Rescue 240

Kiowa: Chief 220, Brush 222 & Brush 223

Elbert: Tender 231

Elizabeth: Brush 271

Agate: Chief 291, Brush 293, Brush 299 & Tender 299

Rattlesnake: Brush 251

Elbert County Office of Emergency Management (OEM): Deputy EC61 & OEM 1

Elbert County Road and Bridge: P Tender and 2 Road Maintainers

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control: Engine 2991

Douglas County Office of Emergency Management (OEM): OEM 22 & Helicopter 5TA (N205TA)

Eric Hurst Photo ©