Wildland fire at C470 and Kipling Pkwy

WestMetroFire @WestMetroFire 1h
UPDATE: A suspect has been identified in connection with the #OakFire. West Metro investigators are working with @jeffcosheriffco on the incident. More information will become available as the case progresses.

WestMetroFire @WestMetroFire 5hr
UPDATE: #OakFire - fire is 50% contained. 25 firefighters working today in steep terrain to extend fireline around perimeter & continue mop up. You can expect to see smoke from small hotspots in interior. WMFR getting help from @ArvadaFire, @ICFPD, @COStateFire & Foothills Fire.


ICFPD @ICFPD 5h
Wildland firefighters from @ICFPD and @ElkCreekFire supporting @WestMetroFire on the #oakfire. Heavy scrub brush fuels create challenging conditions for cutting line

WestMetroFire @WestMetroFire 25m
After a productive day’s work- the #OakFire is 70% contained at 153 acres. (1 acre increase due to more accurate mapping). There was minimal fire activity. West Metro and @COStateFire crews will be back on scene tomorrow, continuing mop up activities.

WestMetroFire @WestMetroFire 7m
West Metro & Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control crews are back at work on the #OakFire today. Firefighters will be working again on containment (at 70% yesterday) and mopping up. This stage of firefighting can take days, even weeks- this video explains why.

WestMetroFire @WestMetroFire 10m
UPDATE: #OakFire - after two days of mop up and securing the perimeter- the fire is 80% contained. No observed fire activity today. Crews will continue to patrol the area and we expect 100% containment by the end of the week. 1/2

Part of mop up is "cold-trailing," a slow, time intensive method of searching for hot spots by checking with a bare hand for any "heat" that may be hidden in ash or other spots. One reason why mopping up can take days or even weeks, depending on the size of the fire. 2/2

WestMetroFire @WestMetroFire 1h
Strong winds along 470 have kicked up dust, ash and debris from the #OakFire. There are no active flames at this time. We have crews on scene, patrolling and walking the perimeter. It looks like smoke, but it’s not.

West Metro Fire 12hrs ago
UPDATE: #OakFire- after two days of mop up and several inches of snow- the fire (near Kipling & 470) is now 100% contained. Investigators have determined that the fire was human-caused and a suspect has been identified. More information will be available as the case progresses.

***This fire was in Jefferson County, and burned 153 acres of open space. No structures were damaged, but the fire did prompt some short- term evacuations.***

From West Metro Fire:
A suspect has been apprehended in connection with the #OakFire. The suspect is a minor and will be completing community service and court appointed fire education classes. The fire burned 153 acres near Kipling and C470 on December 27th. No structures were damaged, although there was a short-term evacuation of a nearby apartment complex.