Burned Tree Removed from Cheesman Park Pavilion After New Year’s Day Fires
Firefighters were called to Cheesman Park on two separate occasions on New Year’s Day to extinguish fires burning near the pavilion. Videos and photos shared on social media showed a large flame and thick smoke rising from behind the Cheesman Park Pavilion, visible in broad daylight. Later, similar footage surfaced against the backdrop of Denver’s night sky.
Two Rocky Mountain Juniper trees were set ablaze, but only one required removal, according to Denver Parks and Recreation. “Our forestry team was able to carefully remove one of the trees this morning. The other tree remains healthy enough to stay,” said Stephanie Figueroa, a spokesperson for the department.
Denver firefighters quickly responded to both fires, extinguishing the flames before they could spread to additional trees. Luis Cedillo, public information officer for Denver Fire, confirmed that the fires had already spread to several trees and bushes by the time crews arrived. The incidents are being investigated as potential arson, though results are still inconclusive. “It’s undetermined at this time, and there are no further details to provide,” Cedillo said.
On Thursday morning, a Denver Parks and Recreation crew was seen removing the charred remains of the two burned trees from behind the pavilion.
