Several area agencies are fighting a nearly 17-acre wildfire near a trail west of the old Heritage Square Amusement Park in the foothills near Golden.
About 100 firefighters from 10 Denver-area agencies were battling the blaze first reported about 1 p.m. near the Apex trail, Jefferson County sheriff’s spokesman Mike Taplin said. The fire was initially estimated at under an acre, but an aerial survey showed it was roughly 17 acres.
The nearest homes are a mile to half-mile away, but not in danger, Taplin said. Area residents will be notified if that changes, he said.
The weather Saturday was unseasonably warm and there were winds. Denver set a record for the day with a high temperature of 77 degrees, the National Weather Service said.
But Taplin said the winds were dying down Saturday evening and a cold front expected to move into the area should help firefighting efforts.
Containment of the wildfire was estimated at about 25 percent. Taplin said crews know approximately where the fire started, but not what sparked it.
The cautioned people with asthma, heart or lung health problems against going outside while the fire’s burning. If moderate to heavy smoke is visible, the air quality is already unhealthy, a tweet by the agency said.
Jefferson County Open Space said that Apex Park rangers and sheriff’s deputies were at the scene. The park was closed because of muddy conditions.
Our firefighters, working in Division Zulu on the brush fire burning in the foothills west of Golden, near Apex Park in Jefferson County. Fire estimated at 17 acres.
— WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire)