A small brush fire broke out Sunday evening in Idaho Springs, Colorado, and investigators are pointing toward a carelessly discarded cigarette or marijuana product as the cause.
The Brush Fire
According to the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office, the fire was reported at 6:50pm on July 12 in the 1800 block of Miner Street, behind a local business in the mountain town roughly 30 miles west of Denver. Clear Creek County deputies and Idaho Springs Police officers were first on scene and helped knock down active flames with extinguishers while they waited for firefighters. Clear Creek Fire Authority crews then took over and fully extinguished the blaze. Officials said the fire stayed small and was put out quickly, with no injuries or property damage reported.
A Preventable Cause
A preliminary investigation points to a discarded cigarette or marijuana product as the ignition source. Investigators noted the burn did not appear to have been started by a passing motorist on nearby Interstate 70, a common cause of roadside brush fires in the area.
The timing has drawn extra scrutiny from local officials because the fire ignited while Clear Creek County remains under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, which took effect at noon on June 29th and prohibit a range of outdoor burning activities across unincorporated parts of the county. Smoking outdoors is banned under those restrictions, and violators can face charges including fourth degree arson and reckless endangerment, per Clear Creek County’s fire ban guidelines.
County Urges Vigilance Around Fire Danger
The Sheriff’s Office said Clear Creek County residents are generally well aware of fire danger given the region’s ongoing drought conditions and steep, forested terrain, but officials still felt the need to issue a reminder. The agency asked the public to spread the word, particularly to anyone who might be tempted to smoke outdoors, warning that a moment of carelessness could ignite a far more serious wildfire. Stage 2 restrictions remain in effect until further notice. Residents can find full details on prohibited activities and burn permit information through the county’s official channels.