One man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of arson-related charges after police say he lit a series of small fires in and around Lakewood’s Fox Hollow Golf Course.
Firefighters responded to Fox Hollow around 3 p.m. Thursday after golfers noticed several smoke plumes nearby, West Metro Fire Rescue said in a statement on X.
The fires — which were set in open spaces and wooded areas around the golf cart paths — burned about 5 acres total, the fire department stated.
Fire crews were able to quickly suppress the flames and no damage was done to nearby homes or other structures.
The arson suspect was fully clothed when fire crews arrived on scene, but removed his shirt before Lakewood police officers could handcuff him, West Metro Fire Rescue spokesperson Ronda Scholting said.
The man is expected to be charged with arson, intentionally causing a wildfire and assault.
West Metro fire crews patrolled the fire areas overnight to check for any remaining heat spots, and returned Friday morning to make sure the containment lines held, according to Scholting.
“The fire is pretty much wrapped up, but crews are going back out to mop up and keep an eye on it,” Scholting said.
While not likely, critical fire weather conditions and high winds Friday could reignite the flames if any embers remaining within the burn spots are blown out onto dry grass by the wind, Scholting said.
Related Articles
One dead, one hospitalized in overnight Glendale shooting
Denver ambulances aren’t meeting response-time goals. Can training firefighters to be paramedics help?
Father of Brighton toddler who died from fentanyl overdose sentenced to 40 years in prison
Aurora repairman arrested on child sexual assault charges may have more victims, police say
Aurora man sentenced to 52 years in prison for DUI crash that killed mother, daughter
Some of the burns allegedly set by the suspect were in areas with debris like piles of tree limbs.
“Embers can dig themselves into downed vegetation and sit there for a while, smoldering, before they eventually ignite,” Scholting said.
Crews from South Metro Fire Rescue, Castle Rock Fire, West Douglas Fire, Foothills Fire, Indian Hills Fire and Fairmount Fire also responded to the alleged arsons.
Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day.