Fairplay, CO: On Sunday, October 28, North-West Fire responded to a grass fire in the Foxtail Pines subdivision. Four engines and eight firefighters responded with South Park Ambulance and Park County Sheriff's officers.

On arrival, crews were met by flames up to five feet tall, blown around by erratic and gusting winds. Neighbors had been able to help hold the fire at bay until fire crews arrived and were able to extinguish the fire front before it pushed into the nearby houses. The fire completely burned the grass and brush in an area of approximately 1/2 acre.

The cause of the fire was an ember from a campfire at one of the residences. "This time of year is very dangerous for wildfires" according to Chief Mike Roll. "The fine flashy fuels, the grass and light brush, is completely dried out and all it takes is a single spark or heat source to ignite what could become a large fire very fast. This fire was a perfect example of how fast it can happen. We were lucky to have observant neighbors and a bit of luck with the wind or houses definitely would have been hit."

This is the third grass fire in less than two weeks North-West Fire firefighters have dealt with. A hot wheel bearing on the side of a road and fireplace ashes being placed outside started the two earlier fires.

North-West Fire urges everyone to use extreme caution in order to prevent a wildfire from happening. If you have any questions please call 719-836-3150 in the North-West Fire District for more information on what you can do to mitigate fire danger on your property.