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The Quarry fire was likely human-caused and is being investigated as an arson, Kevin Bost, the investigations division chief with the Jefferson County Sheriff, said Friday. The fire has burned more than half a square mile of land in Jefferson County west of Chatfield State Park.
- The fire was 10 percent contained Friday afternoon, authorities said. More than 150 firefighters are working the fire on the ground.
- Investigators determined the fire began on Deer Creek “just above Grizzly in those switchback areas,” along a trail, Bost said. The fire grew in open space land.
- Nearly 600 homes across five subdivisions have been evacuated, including Deer Creek, Mesa, Sampson, Maxwell, McKinney and Murphy. On Friday afternoon, the sheriff's office said it was working on a plan to allow evacuees to return to their homes. Residents need to go to the Dakota Ridge High School, 13399 W. Coal Mine Ave., in Littleton between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday to get a pass.
- On Thursday, Mark Techmeyer with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said residents in the Hilldale Pines, Oehlmann Park, West Ranch, Silver Ranch and Silver Ranch South neighborhoods should be prepared to evacuate if the fire spreads.
Heavy smoke on the northern Front Range from the Quarry, Stone Canyon and Alexander Mountain fires is expected Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Places south of metro Denver may also experience heavy smoke. State health authorities have issued an air quality alert for much of the region.
Evacuation locations:
- An evacuation center has been set up at Dakota Ridge High School at 13399 W. Coal Mine Ave. in Littleton.
- Residents can take large animals to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 15200 W. 6th Ave. in Golden.
Firefighters face a challenging fight
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on Friday said the fire was growing and resources were limited due to other active fires across the state and country.
"This is one of the most densely populated and it has proven to be absolutely one of the most challenging fire fights I've seen in my 15 to 20 years," Jefferson County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Mark Techmeyer said Thursday. "It is steep and treacherous."
He added that air drops of fire retardant and water won't be enough to put the fire out. "Boots on the ground are going to win this fight," Techmeyer said.
The number of firefighters working on the blaze doubled Thursday with crews wrestling steep, rocky terrain.
Colorado's new team of state wildfire investigators is using a specially trained dog that can sniff out if an accelerant was used to start the fire.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
