GILPIN COUNTY – A fire broke out on January 10, 2025, in the Missouri Lakes 2 subdivision in Gilpin County, leaving a home with significant damage. No one was injured and Timberline Fire Protection District responded promptly, preventing a...
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GILPIN COUNTY – A fire broke out on January 10, 2025, in the Missouri Lakes 2 subdivision in Gilpin County, leaving a home with significant damage. No one was injured and Timberline Fire Protection District responded promptly, preventing a potential wildland disaster.
Rapid Response Prevents Further Damage
The homeowner reported the fire at 1:18 p.m. The first Timberline fire truck arrived on the scene within just eight minutes. The Black Hawk Fire Department arrived on the scene with an engine and a crew of three. Nederland and Golden Gate Fire were en route but told to stand down before arriving.
Firefighters were met with heavy flames consuming the front of the house and extending into the structure.
Crews immediately advanced hoses to tackle the fire both externally and internally, swiftly bringing it under control. The fire was completely extinguished, and fire crews were back in service two and a half hours after the initial call.
A Preventable Cause
The fire was traced back to improperly discarded fireplace ashes that had been placed in a plastic bucket on the deck adjacent to the house. The bucket ignited, setting the house ablaze.
Fortunately, the fire did not spread to surrounding wildland areas, thanks to quick action by fire crews and favorable conditions.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper ash disposal. Homeowners are urged always to place fireplace ashes in a sealed metal container on a non-combustible surface, far from structures.
Ashes can remain hot and capable of igniting fires for up to a week after removal from a fireplace. In high mountain environments, strong winds can exacerbate the risk by spreading embers to nearby structures or vegetation.
Smoke Detectors Save Lives
One crucial factor in avoiding injuries during this incident was the presence of multiple working smoke detectors in the home. The alarms alerted the homeowner, who called 911 immediately, enabling the rapid response that ultimately minimized the fire’s impact.
A Reminder for the Community
This fire is a sobering example of how preventable accidents can lead to significant damage.
Nearly every year, firefighters respond to blazes sparked by improperly discarded ashes.
Residents are encouraged to review fire safety practices, particularly during the winter months when fireplace use is common.
Gilpin County Sherriff and Gilpin Ambulance were also promptly at the home, ready to assist. Timberline had one engine, two tenders, and one brush truck at the site. There were nine firefighters in total.
Gilpin County residents can take pride in the efforts of their local fire departments and first responders, whose swift and efficient work averted what could have been a much larger tragedy.
Sending help to California
Early on the morning of January 11, Timberline Fire deployed a Type-6 Brush Truck with three wildland firefighters to assist with the ongoing efforts in California. The crew joined other agencies from Colorado and western states as part of a strike team combating the devastating fires.
Timberline Fire extends wishes for the crew’s safe return. Community members are encouraged to keep the firefighters in their thoughts during this deployment.