Passing motorists on Sunday night put out a small wildfire west of Longmont that was believed to have been caused by illegal fireworks, according to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff’s office about 9 p.m. Sunday received several reports of a small wildland fire in the 11,400 block of North Foothills Highway in unincorporated Boulder County, according to a news release.
Passing motorists extinguished the fire prior to the arrival of sheriff's deputies and the Hygiene Fire Department, according to the release. The fire was caused by fireworks, according to the sheriff’s office, but it is not known who set off the fireworks and started the fire, according to the release.
In the same release, the sheriff’s office reminded residents there is a statewide fire ban in effect, which bans the use of fireworks. The ban, which into effect on Aug. 18, also includes campfires and other open sources of ignition
Boulder County sheriff's deputies also are receiving and responding to multiple reports of illegal campfires despite the fire ban, according to the release.
There are 11 wildfires burning in Colorado right now, according to InciWeb, an internet-based interagency incident information system. Among them is the Cameron Peak Fire near Red Feather Lakes, which started Aug. 14, and on Saturday grew to 53.6 square miles (138.8 square kilometers). The fire rained ash and reduced air quality along the Front Range on Sunday.
