UPDATE: Per a 2:05 p.m. update from Thornton Police Department, the grass fire has been contained and firefighting personnel switched to working on cooling hot spots. I-25 fully reopened. Residents are still evacuated and will be notified regarding when they’re able to return to their homes. Additional will be posted here.

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A grass fire that sparked in the Sherrelwood area around noon on February 25 resulted in the closure of I-25 between Thornton Parkway and 84th Avenue due to billowing smoke limiting visibility. Located in the area of Pinnacle High School at 84th Avenue and Huron Street, the school has been evacuated, along with some nearby businesses and homes.

“Thick smoke is creating limited visibility as it blows across the roadway,” reads an alert from the Colorado Department of Transportation. “Avoid the area and seek alternate routes.”

At time of reporting, the fire is in its early stages, so no information about size or potential risk of growth has been released. The public has been asked to steer clear of the area so that emergency crews can respond.

At last report, police officers were conducting door-to-door evacuations in neighborhoods to the northeast of the fire. Those who are unable to go home have been asked to head to Water World as a safe location.

This part of Colorado is under a Red Flag warning on February 25 due to dangerous fire conditions.

This is a developing story and details are subject to rapid change. Find the most up-to-date information on the Thornton Police Department x.com page, as well as the Thornton Fire Department x.com page. Updates related to road closures can be found on the CDOT CoTrip website.

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