Firefighters were kept busy Saturday with several grass fires fueled by unseasonably warm and dry weather.
But there were no reported injuries nor damage to homes and other structures.
A human-caused grass fire threatened several homes in a subdivision about four miles east of Parker in the morning, authorities say.
The blaze, which torched up to five acres, came within 10 yards of several homes, said Anthony Valdez, spokesman for 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 Dr.
South Metro quickly called four other fire departments from Aurora, Cunningham, Elizabeth and Franktown, involving 30 different firetrucks to fight the fast-moving fire, Valdez said.
Flames up to eight 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 then 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.
A total of 10 firetrucks responded to the second fire, he said.
Firefighters believe they know how the initial fire was caused but they are not yet releasing information other than to say it was human-caused.
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 will be in effect until 10 p.m.
“We’ve had a very busy day,” Valdez said.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
