Several small wildfires that broke out along the Front Range on Memorial Day are being blamed on a large barbecue smoker being towed along Interstate 25.

Larimer County sheriff's officials said charcoal embers flying from the smoker caused eight small grassfires along I-25 between Loveland and northern Fort Collins.

The largest fire grew to 1 1/2 acres.

The smoker had been used by a caterer at a party in Johnstown, Colo. Authorities said the driver thought the fire had been completely extinguished before towing it away.

Another fire started Monday morning near Conifer High School, about 30 miles southwest of Denver.

Gusty winds blew a Ponderosa Pine tree into electric lines, sparking the blaze.

Firefighters contained the fire and kept it to 3/4 of an acre.