Train starts multiple grass fires along Diagonal Highway between Longmont and Boulder

This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

On September 17th, 2018 at approximately 12:24 PM, Boulder County Dispatch Center received calls about a grass fire located in the area of the Diagonal Highway and Niwot Road in unincorporated Boulder County.

A Burlington Northern Santa Fe train passed through the area and ignited a few grass fires as it traveled between Longmont and Boulder. The fires were located between Niwot Road and North 63rd to the west of the train tracks.

Deputies from the Sheriff's Office along with the following fire agencies responded to the scene and quickly extinguished the fires: Mountain View Fire, Boulder Rural Fire, City of Boulder Fire and the County Fire Duty Officer.  The fires were located and contained primarily to the dried grasses, no structures were threatened.

This incident is a good reminder that fire danger conditions in the area are high and to please use caution while you are out and about.