A small wildfire burning north of Red Feather Lakes got some help from above Sunday night.
Air tankers working the High Park Fire closer to Fort Collins were returning to their refueling base in Laramie about 7:30 p.m. on June 10 when pilots observed a 1/8-acre fire burning about 3/4-miles north of the neighborhood near Fox Acres golf course.
Two air tankers, supported by spotter craft and a lead airplane, swooped in and dropped their remaining loads of retardant and “pretty much knocked out the fire,” Red Feather Lakes Volunteer Fire Department chief Steve Robinson said.
RFLVFD hadn’t called for air support and firefighters were responding to the initial report of smoke when the slurry drops took place. RFLVFD helped mop up remaining hot spots after the slurry had knocked down most of the fire.
“The slurry drops were fortunate timing for all involved — and greatly appreciated,” said Robinson. “Things were on our side on that one.”
Crystal Lakes VFD and the US Forest Service also responded to the fire.
The cause of the fire is unknown, but lightning is suspected.