Evergreen Fire extinguishes grass fire near Beaver Brook

Evergreen firefighters were able to put out a remote, lightning-caused fire on Friday after it was reported by motorists on Interstate 70 near the Floyd Hill exit.

Crews hiked in about 300 yards from the nearest road to the 1.5-acre fire near the U.S. 40 and Beaver Brook Canyon, said Evergreen Fire Chief Mike Weege.

Wet weather helped firefighters keep the fire under control, creating huge plumes of smoke that were reported by motorists on Interstate 70. People near U.S. 6 in Golden Gate Canyon to the north also reported seeing burning trees, he said.

The fire remained relatively slow-moving as firefighters worked for several hours to put it out.

Wind gusts and lightning from storms moving through kept firefighters hopping on Friday, Weege said. He reminded people to call 911 whenever they see something suspicious that could be a fire.

“Call early, call often,” Weege said. “If you see smoke or smell smoke, (call). This was a very visible plume of smoke.”

Firefighters accessed the area from a private driveway and two-lane roads on private property. They returned Saturday to make sure there were no hot spots.

The Clear Creek Fire Authority, Foothills Fire Protection District, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office fire management officer and the Colorado State Patrol also responded to the fire.