The Chatridge 2 fire burning near Highlands Ranch grew to more than 460 acres Monday afternoon, but fire officials said the blaze had stopped progressing toward homes in a nearby subdivision.
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South Metro Fire Rescue cautioned on Twitter that "there's still a lot of work to be done containing the flanks and smoke will continue to drift into Highlands Ranch."
Nearly 60 units were battling the wildfire, supported by a heavy presence from firefighting airplanes and helicopters.
This is a map of the #Chatridge2Fire with imagery provided by @COEmergency Multi Mission Airplane. The fire is now 461 acres with air and ground resources working together. pic.twitter.com/EcHGAhb2zw— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) June 29, 2020
This is a map of the #Chatridge2Fire with imagery provided by @COEmergency Multi Mission Airplane. The fire is now 461 acres with air and ground resources working together. pic.twitter.com/EcHGAhb2zw
South Metro Fire Rescue crews began working to contain the blaze at roughly 10 a.m. on June 29. The fire in unincorporated Douglas County near U.S. Highway 85 forced mandatory evacuations of the BackCountry subdivision near Highlands Ranch, growing to 267 acres in less than three hours.
Red Cross volunteer Lori Halverson, who was stationed at the evacuation site at ThunderRidge High School, was mountain biking the morning of the fire and saw it in its early stages, she said. At 9:47 that morning, she called 911 and reported it.
By 1:45 p.m., flames reached Skydance Drive in Highlands Ranch. Video footage shared by South Metro showed smoke billowing around homes as firefighters worked to protect structures.
But no structures had been damaged and there were no reported injuries.
The fire initially was reported near Chatridge Court and Highway 85.
Shortly before 12:30 p.m., crews had the fire roughly 60% contained, according to the South Metro fire agency. The blaze was still at moderate risk of spreading at that time.
Several aircraft were in the area providing support to firefighters. Crews successfully protected two homes as they battled "very gusty winds, dry vegetation and difficult terrain," according to South Metro Fire Rescue.
.#Chatridge2Fire update - The fire is 267 acres, 60% contained, still a moderate risk of forward spread. 2 large air tankers, 2 small engine air tankers, 1 helicopter, 1 lead plane and 1 multi-mission aircraft ordered or on the fire. https://t.co/TZSgUEEbta— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) June 29, 2020
.#Chatridge2Fire update - The fire is 267 acres, 60% contained, still a moderate risk of forward spread. 2 large air tankers, 2 small engine air tankers, 1 helicopter, 1 lead plane and 1 multi-mission aircraft ordered or on the fire. https://t.co/TZSgUEEbta
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office said it issued 964 "code red" emergency notifications to the community.
The Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Facility near Highway 85 and Ron King Trail was evacuated as a precaution, the sheriff's office said.
Video of the fire posted by South Metro Fire Rescue on Twitter showed firefighters walking along scorched fields surrounded by smoke.
Update - This is a the #Chatridge2Fire no evacuations ordered yet, no injuries, 2 homes successfully protected. This fire is greater than 10 acres and moving at a rapid rate of spread. Mutual aid from several agencies assisting. @COEmergency @dcsheriff @douglasoem https://t.co/hDdeuvw7nI pic.twitter.com/7nyHQ2IaaG— South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) June 29, 2020
Update - This is a the #Chatridge2Fire no evacuations ordered yet, no injuries, 2 homes successfully protected. This fire is greater than 10 acres and moving at a rapid rate of spread. Mutual aid from several agencies assisting. @COEmergency @dcsheriff @douglasoem https://t.co/hDdeuvw7nI pic.twitter.com/7nyHQ2IaaG
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