Grass fire near I-76 in Sedgwick County contained; semi driver charged
SEDGWICK COUNTY, Colo. — A fast-moving grass fire near Interstate 76 in Sedgwick County was fully contained Friday night following a large multi-agency response, and investigators have filed criminal charges after determining the blaze was sparked by a semi-truck dragging its landing gear, officials said.
The fire ignited near mile marker 165 along I-76 and spread quickly amid extreme winds before being contained within the boundaries of Interstate 76, Highway 59, County Road 18 and County Road 19. Mandatory evacuations were issued as a precaution but were later lifted after crews knocked down the fire. No injuries or structural damage were reported.
Sedgwick Volunteer Fire Department Chief Cade Rober said rapidly shifting winds created challenging conditions as the fire grew.
“We went to a fire that was started by a semi-tractor trailer just past the Sedgwick exit,” Rober said. “The fire grew rapidly with winds changing directions. We had all six of our units on scene with 10 to 15 other departments and water trucks from outside sources. It went really smooth compared to what I thought it would be.”
According to Sheriff Koby Quayle, emergency response and medical standby assistance was provided by multiple communications centers and ambulance services, while fire suppression efforts included departments from across northeast Colorado and southwest Nebraska, along with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.
Local farmers also played a key role by providing tractors equipped with disks to establish fire breaks and slow the fire’s spread.
Investigators later received a tip and video footage showing a semi traveling eastbound on I-76 while dragging its landing gear, producing sparks that ignited the prairie fire. The vehicle was located parked on the eastbound Julesburg on-ramp near mile marker 180. The driver was charged in connection with starting the fire, and the semi and trailer were impounded as evidence.
The sheriff’s office credited coordinated response efforts, communications support, and investigative work for the successful outcome.
