Brush Fire Burns Near Lakeside Amusement Park Before Crews Stop It

Smoke Near I-70 Turns Heads as Brush Fire Sparks Next to Lakeside Amusement Park

A brush fire burned dangerously close to Lakeside Amusement Park Saturday evening, but firefighters were able to stop the flames before they reached the historic park. The fire broke out just before 6:30 p.m. along I-70 between Harlan Street and Sheridan Boulevard, sending smoke across the highway and drawing attention from passing drivers. According to Hoodline, the blaze quickly spread through about two acres of grass and brush near the interstate before crews from West Metro Fire Rescue moved in to contain it.

Firefighters responded after multiple reports of smoke and flames near the roadway. Crews lined up along nearby frontage roads and used engines and brush trucks to keep the fire from pushing toward the amusement park or nearby picnic areas. A water tender carrying roughly 2,000 gallons of water was used to resupply crews working the fire line in an area without nearby hydrants, helping firefighters box the blaze in and prevent it from spreading further.

The fire comes during a period of heightened wildfire danger along Colorado’s Front Range, where dry conditions and gusty winds have increased the risk of fast-moving grass fires. Fortunately, the flames were stopped before causing any damage to Lakeside Amusement Park or surrounding structures. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.