Grass-fueled fire 80 percent contained near Evergreen
Evergreen – A 15-acre brush fire 5 miles west of Evergreen grew quickly before firefighters got the blaze 80 percent contained Sunday evening.
About 75 firefighters helped fight the flames near the Jefferson and Clear Creek county line, Evergreen Fire Rescue spokesman Einar Jensen said. About 10 were staying at the fire overnight.
No structures were threatened, but about 650 homeowners had been warned to be ready for evacuation, Jensen said.
Though winds were calm Sunday, the fire spread quickly on dry grass and a steep slope in the foothills.
“Even though it’s February, this is still high fire danger for us up and down the Front Range,” Jensen said. “Below 8,000 feet, we haven’t had the snow accumulation or other precipitation. So the fuels that were dried out from last year are now exposed. They’re crunchy. They’re ready to burn.”
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
WOODY CREEK
Gonzo journalist’s widow to offer photo
The widow of Hunter S. Thompson said she will let fans download a rarely seen photo of the gonzo journalist from his website on the anniversary of his death.
Thompson, 67, shot himself Feb. 20, 2005, at his home in Woody Creek, apparently despondent over health problems.
Anita Thompson said she decided to offer the photo as a free download at gonzostore.com in response to fans who have written her asking about plans for the anniversary.
His family will mark his death privately, and no public event is planned.
Anita Thompson took the photo at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, when her husband had friends over as he was writing one of his columns.
“He has a special look in his eye that he had once in a while when he was up to something but was totally at peace,” she told The Associated Press.
Under the photo will be one of her husband’s favorite quotes. She wouldn’t reveal it but gave a hint: It’s about Bob Dylan.
AURORA
Two girls arrested in fence, garage fires
Two girls in Aurora were arrested on counts of first- and second-degree arson Sunday morning in an investigation into two fires, fire Capt. Mike Ackman said.
He said the fires – which occurred at about 3 a.m. – involved a fence at 16303 E. Layton Ave. and a garage door at 4610 S. Laredo St.
Firefighters limited the damage to about $500 at each location, Ackman said. The two sites are less than a half-mile apart near Wagon Trail Park in southeast Aurora.
SNOWMASS
Skier who hit tree dies of head injury
A first-year ski-lift operator at Snowmass who suffered a severe head injury after skiing into a tree last month died Thursday in a Grand Junction hospital.
Ryan Gallagher, 22, of Chicago never regained consciousness after the accident and died of severe brain trauma, according to Pitkin County Coroner Steve Ayers.
Initial reports said Gallagher was not wearing a helmet when he hit a tree while skiing during a late-morning break Jan. 23.
He was found unconscious but breathing and was flown to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction.
GOLDEN
Vote likely in April to replace councilman
A special election is expected to be set April 24 to replace Golden City Councilman Arthur Chen, who announced this month that he is taking a job in California.
Chen, a financial analyst at StorageTek, was elected in April 2005 to replace Marcie Miller as the council’s Ward 2 representative.
He was re-elected to the seat in November.
Chen said he will resign his seat after the special election, which will be set by the City Council, or after he sells his home in Golden – whichever comes first.
Anyone living in Ward 2, which is south Golden, who is interested in the council seat should call the Golden city clerk’s office at 303-384-8014 or 303-384-8015.
LA JUNTA
Teenager killed in rollover accident
A 17-year-old La Junta High School student was killed in a one-vehicle accident north of the southeastern Colorado town.
A State Patrol news release identified the victim as Steven Miller.
His body was found in a pasture more than 40 feet from where his truck rolled.
The accident, which occurred early Saturday, is under investigation.
