Firefighters were kept busy Saturday with several grass fires fueled by unseasonably warm and dry weather.
But there were no reported injuries or damage to homes and other structures.
A human-caused grass fire threatened several homes in a subdivision about 4 miles east of Parker in the morning, authorities said.
The blaze, which torched up to 5 acres, came within 10 yards of several homes, said Anthony Valdez, spokesman for the South Metro Fire District.
A second human-caused grass fire broke out early in the afternoon in Parker’s Cottonwood Park near 17411 Snowberry Way, Valdez said.
The first grass fire broke out at 10:18 a.m. near 11462 Forest Hills Drive.
South Metro quickly called four other fire departments from Aurora, Cunningham, Elizabeth and Franktown, involving 30 firetrucks, to fight the fast-moving fire, Valdez said.
Flames up to 8 feet high burned through scrub oak and dry grass and came close to several homes, he said.
The fire was brought under control by 11:28 a.m., he said. Although the fire is classified as human-caused, investigators are still trying to determine exactly how it got started, Valdez said.
In less than a half-hour, the second grass fire erupted in a park within Parker limits and the same fire department responded, he said. The second fire burned through high grass and scrub oak but did not threaten any homes, Valdez said.
Valdez said South Metro dealt with two other smaller fires in highway medians, but those were also quickly put out.
The National Weather Service issued a red-flag warning because of dry conditions that increased the chances for wildfires, Valdez said. The warning is in effect until 10 tonight.
“We’ve had a very busy day,” Valdez said.
