Aurora Independence Day Responses

Between 08:00 July 4th, 2026 until 08:00 on July 5th, 2026 Aurora Fire Rescue responded to 218 calls for service including 26 fire related calls. There were 10 vegetation fires (several reported as structure fires), 8 dumpster / trash fires, 5 reported fires that crews were unable to locate and 2 outside fires that spread to homes.

Pfitzer junipers were common spark catchers that easily ignited and generated many 911 calls, like the one captured in these photos. Ladder 6, Brush 13 and PIO2 responded to the 3500 block of S. Quemoy St. around 20:15 and found several neighbors working to control a fire in the front yard. This was a scene that played out several times in southeast Aurora with several homes threatened.

The first structure fire occurred around 23:15. In the 900 block of N. Lansing St. where a row of pine trees against a home ignited and spread to the siding. First arriving Engine 2 pulled a line for fire control, Engine 113 completed the water supply and pulled a backup line, Ladder 2 conducted a primary search and Battalion 2 assumed command. Crews prevented fire from extending into the home and the incident was quickly placed under control. The next structure fire occurred around 23:40 in the 16500 block of E. Harvard Ave. where multiple callers reported a house on fire. Neighbors extinguished most of the fire prior to crews arriving and conducting overhaul. Chief 10 assumed command with Ladder 6 and Engine 9 assigned to open up and extinguish hot spots. All but one fire was caused or probably caused by fireworks, with the outlier being a dumpster fire with an undetermined cause. No injuries occurred at any fire scene, but one person was transported with minor injuries after a fireworks mishap.

With a Stage 2 fire ban in place, AFR was prepared for increased call volume on July 3rd and July 4, 2026 and multiple units were upstaffed. Chief 6 and Chief 7 took area commands divided the city north and south at Iliff Ave. Chief 10 roved the southeast portion of the city as an additional incident commander, Brush 3, Brush 8, Brush 9, Brush 12, Brush 13, Brush 15, Tender 15 and Engine 113 were all staffed between 10 a.m. and midnight, with resources held until 01:00 on July 5th due to ongoing fire incidents.