City, county fire crews contain grass fire along Diagonal Highway

 

City and county firefighters have contained a grass fire that broke out at about 3:30 p.m. today at 63rd Street and Diagonal Highway. Firefighters battled high winds that made conditions particularly challenging. As of 5 p.m., crews were reporting that the blaze was 100 percent contained.

 

Emergency officials used the Everbridge notification system to inform 1,300 households of the fire. No evacuations were ordered.

 

The fire, which spread to about 45 acres, started on City of Boulder Open Space and property owned by IBM, near a transformer just outside of Tom Watson Park.

 

Several agencies responded to the fire: City of Boulder Fire, Longmont Fire, Lafayette Fire, Louisville Fire, Boulder Rural Fire Protection District, Lefthand Fire Protection District, Rocky Mountain Fire Protection District, Mountainview Fire Protection District, Fourmile Fire Protection District, Sunshine Fire Protection District, Lyons Fire Protection District, Sugarloaf Fire Protection District, Boulder Emergency Squad, American Medical Response ambulance service, Boulder Police, Boulder Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, City of Boulder Open Space and Boulder County Open Space.

 

Officials are anticipating that high winds could pick up ash and dust. Individuals with respiratory concerns are advised to stay indoors and limit their exposure to particulate matter. Firefighters are planning to remain on scene throughout the night to monitor and respond to any potential hot spots.

 

The city-county Emergency Operations Center has been activated and updates, including road closures information, are being posted atwww.boulderoem.com/emergency-status.