Fluctuating weather can increase fire risk in Colorado
A Home Gnome study called '2025's Most Vulnerable Cities for House Fires' places Thornton, Lakewood and Aurora among the nation's most vulnerable cities for house fires.
Denver, Aurora fire crews battle 2 alarm fire sparked by faulty refrigeration unit
Colorado's stretches of high temperatures followed by snow storms create conditions that can be prime for fire danger.
'An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure and so whatever people can do to, you know, just be safe and practice maintenance and preventable safety tips in their homes, then they're going to protect themselves and their family,' said Aurora Fire Department Spokesperson Dawn Small.
The city of Aurora saw more than 300 structure fires in 2024, with 32 in January and 35 in March. Small said wildfires can be sparked by flying embers so homeowners should monitor any flammable items.
'Nothing that's potentially flammable or an ember catcher within five feet of the perimeter of your home,' said Small.
Most house fires begin in the kitchen.
Police vehicle responding to alcohol-involved crash hit by suspected DUI driver
'You think, 'stand by your pan' — don't leave that cooking unattended. In the bedroom which is the second most common place that we see fires in the home, 'close before you doze;' close the door when you're going to bed to prevent that fire from going and entering into that bedroom,' she said.
It's also important to keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything flammable.
Aurora Fire told FOX31 that fatal residential fires are twice as likely to happen during the first months of the year.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Colorado National Guard mobilized to support Elk, Lee fire suppression efforts
DENVER (KDVR) — On Wednesday night, Gov. Jared Polis authorized the mobilization of the Colorado National Guard to aid with fire response near Meeker. The authorization allows the state authority to use the National Guard assets in fire suppression efforts if necessary. More evacuations ordered for multiple wildfires in Colorado The Governor's Office noted that the wind has continued to drive the Rio Blanco County fires, pushing the Lee Fire to jump Highway 13 on Wednesday and leading to the area around Meeker being evacuated and the town of Meeker being placed on pre-evacuation status. The Lee Fire, as of Wednesday evening, was estimated to have burned 45,000 acres, according to the Colorado Governor's Office. Over the weekend, Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for the Elk Fire in Rio Blanco County, which is still burning southeast of Meeker. That declaration was updated on Tuesday to include the Lee Fire, which had previously been burning only on Bureau of Land Management lands. State Emergency Operations and Resource Mobilization Plans were also activated with the disaster declaration. A link to view the live evacuations map in Rio Blanco County is available here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
More evacuations ordered for multiple wildfires in Colorado
DENVER (KDVR) — As crews continue to battle wildfires across the state, more evacuations and pre-evacuations have been ordered due to several fires growing in size. Multiple agencies in different jurisdictions around Colorado ordered a new round of evacuations and pre-evacuations on Wednesday afternoon. Free on Your TV • New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Rio Blanco County: Lee and Elk Fires There are two large wildfires in Rio Blanco County that have burned more than 30,000 acres. Evacuations have already been sent for certain areas in the county, and the Rio Blanco Sheriff's Office continued with more evacuations and pre-evacuations on Wednesday. Zone 40 Zone 40 is located southwest of Meeker and just east of Lion Canyon. The area contains a stretch of Highway 13. Immediate evacuations are ordered for the area. Zone 40 can be viewed on the Rio Blanco County website. Zone 41 Zone 41 is a pre-evacuation order. The sheriff's office said to begin packing belongings, and if anyone is in need of more time, begin leaving already. Zone 41 is just north of Zone 40 and covers a large portion of Meeker. The sheriff's office said that grass and irrigated fields are holding the fire well, but the potential for it to jump is why pre-evacuations are ordered. Grand County The Grand County Sheriff's Office said that pre-evacuations have been issued because the Windy Gap Fire has grown in size. The office said to begin packing the essentials and pay close attention to its social media page or GCEmergency's website. Zone G41 Zone G41 covers a large south-to-north area located west of the Willow Creek Reservoir. An evacuation map can be found on the Grand County Sheriff's Office website. Zone G48 Zone G48 is also on pre-evacuation orders. The zone covers the area west of Granby. Road closings in Grand County The Colorado Department of Transportation has closed Highway 40 in both directions between Drowsey Water and Colorado 125, located a few miles west of Granby. County Road 57 has been designated as the alternative route. Commercial vehicles are prohibited from driving on this route. Crews are on the scene of a small wildland fire near Windy Gap. A small portion of Highway 40 is reduced to one lane, and traffic will alternate heading in different directions. Evacuations and pre-evacuations are subject to change, and this article will be updated as information about evacuations is shared. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Colorado wildfires: Rio Blanco County, Grand County updates
DENVER (KDVR) — Information is continuing to be released from state agencies after several wildfires across Colorado caused evacuations and pre-evacuations as they grew in size. Some of the wildfires across the state continue to burn, while others are causing pre-evacuation notices to be lifted. Colorado Wildfire Map Rio Blanco County: Lee and Elk Fires Two large wildfires in Rio Blanco County continue to burn more than 70,000 acres. The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management reported that as of 7 a.m. on Friday, the Lee and Elk Fires both had a 0% containment. The Lee Fire was reported to have burned 60,976 acres and the Elk Fire had burned 14,518 acres. North Metro Fire Rescue posted to X on Friday, saying that four wildland team members on Monday were sent out to work on the Elk Fire and have been working overnight with Brighton Fire Rescue. 'Structure protection continues to be the main focus as well as finding advantageous spots to stop forward progress of the fire,' said NMFR. Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday night authorized the mobilization of the Colorado National Guard to aid with fire response for the Rio Blanco County fires. This announcement came after evacuations and pre-evacuations were issued in certain areas in the county throughout the week, which can be found on Rio Blanco County's website. On Sunday, Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency for the Elk Fire, which was later updated on Tuesday to include the Lee Fire. Grand County: Windy Gap Fire On Friday, around 11 a.m. Grand County said that the pre-evacuation notices have been lifted, after being issued on Wednesday for Zones G41 and G48 due to the Windy Gap Fire. Grand County said this decision was made after the county's sheriff and the Windy Gap Fire Incident Commander evaluated 'the current and projected fire behavior' and decided to lift the previously issued pre-evacuation notices. On Thursday, the county posted to Facebook, saying that the Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution declaring a Local Disaster Emergency in Grand County due to the wildfire. 'This is an important first step in the emergency management process, and puts Grand County in a better position for recovering funds related to the Windy Gap Fire and its impacts,' said the county. As of 3 p.m. on Thursday, the Grand County Sheriff's Office reported that the Windy Gap Fire was approximately 30 acres and 40% contained. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
