ARVADA, Colo.
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A 20-acre grass fire started by a family shooting model rockets west of Arvada has been controlled, officials said Sunday afternoon.
Arvada fire spokesman Scott Pribble said the family thought they were safely firing the model rockets from the middle of a parking lot, where they would land without igniting anything.
The adults and children "were quite a ways way from the grass. They thought they were doing the right thing," Pribble said.
"The first two rockets that went up were fine. The third one went up and, as you know, you can't steer it. It has a mind of its own and went the wrong way," landing in the grassy field, Pribbble said.
The fire started about 2:15 p.m. in the field north of Long Lake Ranch Park and south of 64th Parkway, he said. It took Arvada and Fairmount firefighters about two hours to douse the fire.
"People just don't realize how dry things are. We haven't had moisture around here in quite some time," Pribble said.
The family stayed and provided information to fire investigators, he said. Arvada police will investigate the fire and decide if any charges are warranted.
Firefighters used controlled backfires near the park's playing fields to deny the fire fuel, Pribble said.
Fortunately, there was little wind to fan the fire, he said.
"Out here, winds can be devastating," Pribble said. "So, we're lucky there wasn't too much wind."
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