Brush Fire at Happy Canyon and I-25 Extinguished
Information provided by Becky O’Guin South Metro Fire Rescue Authority
South Metro Fire Rescue Authority firefighters with the help of the Castle Rock Fire Department responded to a large brush fire Aug. 21 at 10:07 a.m. The cause of the fire was due to a faulty catalytic converter on a vehicle. The vehicle catalytic converter actually started four separate fires which is a common element of this type of fire. The vehicle has not been identified. Investigators found pieces of the converter in the fire area.
The fire was on the east side of I25 between the highway and the Happy Canyon neighborhood. Just less than three acres were burned before firefighters contained the fire, which took about 30 minutes. No buildings were damaged or threatened by the fire; however Douglas County Sheriff dispatchers did notify residents in the Silver Heights and Happy Canyon neighborhoods that a brush fire was nearby. An evacuation notice was not given. Two northbound lanes of I25 were closed while firefighters fought the fire. They were later reopened.
It took at least 15 fire apparatus, (engines, water tankers, brush trucks,) and 35 firefighters to extinguish the fire which was out by 11:20 a.m. Media Contact: Anthony Valdez – Pager 303-206-0968
*The men and women of the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority provide emergency medical, fire suppression, and fire prevention services to the people living and working in Arapahoe and Douglas counties. For more information, visit www.southmetro.org.
