Electrocuted bird falls to ground, sparks brush fire in Morrison

DENVER (KDVR) — Wildfire danger is high in Colorado, so much so that a fallen bird was to blame for a Wednesday wildfire near a Morrison restaurant .

Fire crews responded to the fire near The Fort on Wednesday afternoon near Colorado 8 and U.S. 285. It burned about 3 acres of grass and brush oak.

It happened as four other wildfires were burning along the Front Range: the Alexander Mountain, Quarry, Stone Canyon and Lake Shore fires. Fire crews have said hot and dry conditions have made the fights a challenge, along with resources stretched thin by other fires across the Western U.S.

The fire in Morrison was contained within about an hour, and fire investigators soon discovered its cause: a bird.

On Thursday, West Metro Fire Rescue said a bird was electrocuted by overhead power lines. The creature caught fire, fell to the ground and ignited the grass and brush below.

Someone responded to the fire department’s post asking: “What are the odds of that?”

“Well, it happens,” West Metro responded. “Not all the time, but, it happens.”

While hazy skies remain, the Front Range could see some relief soon from the fire-friendly conditions. Friday brings the change of afternoon rain and thunderstorms, with more showers in the forecast next week.

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