DENVER — Crews successfully contained two brush fires that were burning close to each other near the intersection of North Airport Boulevard and East 40th Avenue on Thursday, according to a release from Aurora Fire Rescue.
The fires were reported at around 2:30 p.m. When an Aurora Fire engine arrived at the scene of the fire, crews noticed flames with a height of about 10-15 feet on both sides of a railroad track, according to the release. The fires were "burning in close proximity to one another," the release said.
Thirteen fire units — including two engines and a brush truck from the Denver Fire Department — were involved in fighting both fires, Aurora Fire said in the release. A Denver Fire spokesperson said the department later reduced its response to one engine.
Parts of North Airport Boulevard were closed, and traffic was diverted temporarily, according to the release. This was done in an effort to keep the public safe, because fires can sometimes spread to the street because of winds, the release said.
The flames did not damage any structures or cause any injuries, Aurora Fire said. However, the agency said crews were notified of a hawk that was injured in the fires. The bird was reportedly evaluated by animal control teams and taken to Colorado's Division of Wildlife for treatment. The hawk's current condition is unknown.
In total, the fires burned approximately two acres. Aurora Fire said crews were able to contain the flames quickly because of the brush trucks' quick response, as well as the increase in staffing of wildland crews Thursday due to the Red Flag Warning conditions in Colorado.
The cause of the fires is being investigated, the release said, and crews do not know whether they were related.
Arvada Fire reminded the community to be aware of the heightened fire risk during Red Flag Warning conditions and follow fire restrictions and bans. People were also asked to avoid things that could potentially ignite a fire and call or text 911 in case of an emergency.
