BYERS, Colo. — A bird that caught fire after coming into contact with electrical equipment fell to the ground below and ignited the nearby vegetation, sparking a fire that burned more than 1,100 acres over the weekend in Byers.
That's according to a release from the Strasburg and Byers fire protection districts.
Around 10 a.m. on Saturday, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office received multiple 911 calls about a vegetation fire at 2490 S. Quail Hollow Drive. It was initially reported to be smaller than a football field but quickly grew and burned 1,155 acres due to the combination of strong wind and dry fuels.
The fire destroyed one home and at least seven outbuildings, the sheriff's office said. No injuries were reported.
A preliminary investigation found that the fire started in a field just south of the original incident address. Investigators believe that a small bird contacted energized electrical equipment, which ignited the bird's feathers. The bird then fell to the ground and ignited dry vegetation.
The electrical equipment itself did not fail, investigators said. A final Origin and Cause Report will be issued at a later date.