Pre-evacuation alerts lifted for town, neighborhoods near Hogback Fire

People living in the Town of Morrison and the Solterra and Red Rocks Ranch neighborhoods in Lakewood were told Friday afternoon they may have to evacuate their homes due to a wildfire. Five hours later, the stiff that helped start the fire abated and authorities rescinded the warnings five hours after giving them. 

The fire was first reported on the western side of Hogback Road, immediately north of Red Rocks Park, at 2:15 p.m.

The wind-driven blaze quickly marched up hill to the east and crested the ridge. Fire crews were posted on both sides, to the west and the east. This included a group of structure protection crews which positioned themselves at C-470 and Alameda Avenue - between the fire and heavily populated Lakewood neighborhoods. 

It was named the Hogback Fire. 

Parts of Highway 93, Hogback Road and Rooney Road were closed. Red Rocks Park was evacuated and closed. A concert at Red Rocks was postponed.

The fire was last reported to be no larger than 30 acres in size. But while some roads re-opened as the pre-evacuations were lifted, fire crews expected to be working through the night mopping up the last hot spots. 

Gusty winds were forecast to last until midnight. 

A West Metro Fire Rescue spokesperson confirmed that a power line failed, causing the fire's ignition. That line was believed to have been downed due to the high winds. 

As of 9:15 p.m., Xcel Energy's electrical outage map showed 469 customers without power due to the damaged lines and others which were shut down to assist in the firefight. 

An Xcel spokesperson provided a statement to CBS News Colorado: "Our priority is the safety of our customers and our crews as they work as quickly as possible to restore power during this high wind event throughout the Denver Metro area."

Colorado began Friday knowing there was a risk of fire danger. 

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