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Charges pending after fire burns near Twin Lakes in Boulder County

No structures were lost, and no injuries were reported in the fire that burned just under 10 acres, the sheriff's office said.

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — Authorities determined the origin and cause of a 10-acre fire that burned Tuesday afternoon in the Twin Lakes area of Boulder County, and charges were pending against a resident of the area, according to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.

The grass fire started about 1:12 p.m. near Tally Ho Trail in unincorporated Boulder County, the sheriff's office said. It grew to just under 10 acres.

There were no structure losses or injuries reported, the sheriff's office said.

Authorities didn't specify what the origin and cause were because the investigation was ongoing. Damage from the fire was estimated at $5,000 to $10,000.

Charges were pending against a woman who is a resident of the area, according to the sheriff's office.

Some door-to-door evacuation orders were given, but the Boulder County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) said they did not need to launch Everbridge evacuation orders or warnings due to the quick progress in knocking down the fire.

Residents were later allowed to return home after firefighters made good progress on knocking down the fire, authorities said.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect which is typically put in place on days with strong winds and low humidity. When those warnings are in place, no open burning is allowed.

Colorado has seen two straight weeks of Red Flag Warnings across parts of the state is forcing fire departments to respond to calls in different ways. The dry and windy weather leaves little time before a small spark turns into an uncontrolled wildfire.

Credit: KUSA

When the wind picks up, the response from fire departments changes. 

RELATED: This is what makes a fire weather watch and red flag warning different

"Wind dramatically changes everything, as do the dry conditions," said Eric Hurst with South Metro Fire Rescue. "Fire can get out of hand very quickly on a Red Flag day."

Hurst said his department usually sends two engines and a chief to calls of a vegetation fire on a normal day. On days when Red Flag Warnings are in effect, the number triples, with more than 30 firefighters responding to those calls.

RELATED: Fire departments fight fires differently on Red Flag Warning days

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