A fast-moving grass fire broke out in southeastern Boulder County on Monday afternoon, forcing short-term evacuations and the temporary closure of a major highway before firefighters brought the situation under control in less than an hour.
The fire ignited shortly after 3 p.m. in open land near U.S. Highway 287 and South 104th Street, close to the Colorado Tech Center area. Driven by gusty winds, the flames quickly spread across dry grassland, ultimately burning an estimated 35 acres.
Emergency officials issued evacuation orders around 3:30 p.m. for nearby areas of Louisville and Lafayette as a precaution. Residents received alerts through the county’s emergency notification system, while law enforcement shut down U.S. 287 in both directions between Miramonte Road and Public Road to allow fire crews unrestricted access.
Multiple fire departments responded to the incident, deploying significant manpower and equipment. Fire officials said earlier mitigation efforts and clear access around the affected agricultural land played a key role in stopping the fire’s advance. Crews were able to prevent the flames from crossing nearby roadways, which could have placed more populated areas at risk.
By approximately 4:30 p.m., containment lines were established and evacuation orders were lifted. Traffic restrictions remained in place for several more hours, with the highway fully reopening by around 6:30 p.m.
Authorities indicated the fire may have originated from farm equipment operating in a leased cornfield within an open-space area, though the exact cause has not yet been confirmed. Officials stated that, as of Monday evening, no criminal investigation had been initiated.
Firefighters continued monitoring the scene into the evening due to a smoldering haystack within the burn area, which was producing visible smoke. No injuries or structural damage were reported, and nearby medical facilities remained unaffected.
The incident occurred under Stage 1 fire restrictions, with weather conditions resembling past high-risk fire events in the region. The National Weather Service has warned of continued critical fire danger in parts of Boulder and neighboring counties due to strong winds and low humidity.
Local authorities are urging residents to remain alert, follow fire restrictions, and register for emergency alerts as dry and windy conditions persist across the Front Range.
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