JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. – A couple of small brush fires broke out along I-70 near Genesee Park Wednesday afternoon.
The fires were first reported around 2:30 p.m. along westbound I-70 near mile marker 255. Foothills Fire, Genesee Fire and Evergreen Fire were among eight agencies called in to help fight the small fire, which had grown to between 1 and 2 acres in size by 3:45 p.m. and was 30 percent contained.
Firefighters are working in steep terrain with risks of rocks in hill and snags overhead pic.twitter.com/5apWTRx5Ib
— Mountain FIDO (@MountainFIDO) September 13, 2017
Fire in brush and trees pic.twitter.com/yhvP3VkamB
— Mountain FIDO (@MountainFIDO) September 13, 2017
A spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said no one had been evacuated as of 3:30 p.m., but some nearby residents had been alerted to the fire.
Some traffic backups along westbound I-70 from Genesee to Lookout Mountain should be expected through the afternoon.
Traffic backed up significantly WB I-70 near Lookout Mtn due to grass fire. 2 lanes open, 1 closed. Plan ahead check https://t.co/w6f9C3NpLA
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) September 13, 2017
By 5 p.m., crews were in mop-up mode, and most lanes of the interstate had reopened.
Grass fire UPDATE: Hwy 40 is now open & only one lane of Westbound I-70 is now closed as @MountainFIDO & @efr_co mop up the fire pic.twitter.com/QuT0QjVikc
— Jeffco Sheriff (@jeffcosheriffco) September 13, 2017
For Denver metro traffic conditions, click here. For more from the Colorado Department of Transportation, including the latest traffic along I-70, click here.