Cause of Lakeridge Trail Fire in Boulder County determined to be sparking weed wacker

Mitchell Byars, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo.
·1 min read

Oct. 26—Investigators say the Lakeridge Trail Fire in Boulder County last week started as a result of a sparking weed wacker.

The fire started at about 2 p.m. Oct. 20, burning through grass off of North Lakeridge Trail.

The fire grew to about 19 acres, forcing a handful of evacuations and a wider evacuation warning for the Lakeridge Trail and Nelson Road area before fire crews were able to reach containment on the fire that evening.

No homes were damaged, but the fire did burn about 150 feet of fence line.

Boulder County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Carrie Haverfield said investigators believe the fire started when the motor on a string trimmer sparked upon starting up, causing a fire in some nearby grass that then spread.

The fire was deemed accidental, and Haverfield said no citations have been issued.

Left Hand Fire District, U.S. Forest Service, Boulder County Fire Management, Boulder Fire-Rescue, Lyons Fire, Allenspark Fire, Hygiene Fire, Four Mile Fire, Jamestown Fire, Gold Hill Fire and Boulder Mountain Fire responded with 14 engines and three water tenders.

The Colorado Division of Fire Safety and Control supplied a one-seat plane and a helicopter. The Boulder Emergency Squad and American Medical Response also responded to the call.