A 1,300-acre brush fire fueled by winds forced the evacuation of 135 homes and tore through three counties on Sunday afternoon.
The fire began in Superior near Highway 128 and McCaslin Boulevard about 2 p.m. and spread to Jefferson County and Broomfield County, authorities said.
Flames and heavy smoke could be seen from Denver.
One house was surrounded by fire east of Indiana Street in Westminster, but it was protected by firefighters who stationed themselves around it. No damage was done to that house or any other home, authorities said.
The fire was about 90 percent contained by 5 p.m., said Wendy Krajewski, spokeswoman for North Metro Fire Rescue.
More than 100 firefighters from eight agencies attacked the blaze. The cause of the fire remained under investigation Sunday evening.
Jefferson County authorities used a reverse 911 system to call 8,700 homes in the Countryside subdivision of Westminster asking residents to prepare to leave in case the fire got out of control.
Evacuations were limited to 135 homes in the Walnut Creek subdivision of Westminster, said Jacki Kelley, Jefferson County sheriff’s spokeswoman.
The residents were sent to the West View Recreation Center at West 108th Avenue and North Oak Street in Westminster where the American Red Cross assisted evacuees.
About 60 horses were evacuated to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds because they were in fields that were approached by the flames.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-820-1219 or at fcardona@denverpost.com.
