Fire Crews Contain Thornton Grass Fire Near Pinnacle Charter High School
10-acre blaze forces evacuations, closes Interstate 25, and injures five people amid red flag conditions on Colorado’s Front Range
A grass fire broke out near Pinnacle Charter High School in Thornton, Colorado on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, forcing evacuations of students, nearby businesses, and residential neighborhoods. The fire started around 11:30 a.m. in a greenbelt area near West 84th Avenue and Huron Street, rapidly spreading across 10 acres of dry vegetation driven by wind gusts up to 55 mph.
The Thornton Fire Department confirmed full containment at 2:07 p.m., after more than 100 firefighters from multiple agencies responded to battle the flames. Thick black smoke reduced visibility on Interstate 25 to near zero, forcing the Colorado Department of Transportation to close all lanes in both directions for approximately 90 minutes between Thornton Parkway and 84th Avenue.
Five people suffered injuries during the fire response—four firefighters and one civilian—though Thornton Fire Chief Stephen Kelley confirmed none of the injuries were critical. The blaze came within 50 to 100 feet of Pinnacle Charter School, where students watched flames approach their classroom windows before evacuation orders were issued at 12:02 p.m.
Red Flag Warning Conditions
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the Front Range and Eastern Plains through 6 p.m. Wednesday, with wind gusts up to 55 mph and humidity as low as 15% creating critical fire conditions.
Thornton Police Department officers conducted door-to-door evacuations in neighborhoods northeast of the fire, initially directing residents to Water World before establishing a formal evacuation shelter at Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center at 11151 Colorado Boulevard. Pinnacle Charter School CEO Dr. Chris Miller confirmed the fire approached the school building, stating flames came “within about 50 to 100 feet from the back of our school.”
Student Alejandro Hernandez-Manzouer described watching the fire spread from his classroom. “Through the windows I saw fire starting outside and then I saw all the firefighters pulling up. And then I just saw like all the fire just start to spread and it got worse and worse and we got evacuated. And then I just saw a bunch of smoke behind the school,” he said.
Fire Chief Kelley referenced the 2021 Marshall Fire during his Wednesday afternoon briefing, stating, “It is our intent to get ahead of these fires so we don’t have the spread experienced during the Marshall fire. I think we’re very fortunate today that we did not have an outcome similar.” The Marshall Fire burned more than 1,000 homes and caused two deaths in Boulder County.
While no residential structures were destroyed, local businesses reported damage. Jason Rol, owner of Rol Race Motorsports near 84th Street and Huron, told reporters he scrambled to move vehicles as the fire approached. “I was literally 5-10 feet away from it trying to just prevent it from coming through the fence, but it got so big so fast there was nothing I could do,” Rol said. Multiple vehicles in his storage lot were lost to the flames.
How the Fire Unfolded: Minute-by-Minute Timeline
Fire Ignites Near School
The grass fire breaks out in a greenbelt area near Pinnacle Charter High School at West 84th Avenue and Huron Street. Strong winds immediately begin spreading flames eastward across dry vegetation.
Heavy Smoke Blankets Interstate
Thick black smoke reduces visibility on Interstate 25 to near zero. The Colorado Department of Transportation begins closing all lanes between Thornton Parkway and 84th Avenue as smoke drifts across the highway.
Evacuations Begin
Pinnacle Charter School students watch flames approach within 50 to 100 feet of the building. Thornton Police officers begin door-to-door evacuations in neighborhoods northeast of the fire, directing residents to Water World before establishing a formal shelter at Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center.
Multi-Agency Response Deployed
Between 100 and 150 firefighters from various Front Range agencies converge on the scene. Fire Chief Stephen Kelley later confirms crews worked to prevent a repeat of the devastating Marshall Fire of 2021.
Interstate Reopens
After 90 minutes of closure, all lanes of I-25 reopen as smoke clears. More than 3,000 Xcel Energy customers remain without power in the surrounding area.
Fire Fully Contained
Thornton Fire Department announces the fire is fully contained after consuming approximately 10 acres. No homes were destroyed, though damage to local businesses continues to be evaluated.
Residents Return Home
Evacuation orders lifted as fire crews establish perimeter control. Firefighters remain on scene overnight to monitor hot spots and prevent rekindling amid continued high winds.
Fire Location & Impact Zone
The fire ignited in a greenbelt between residential neighborhoods and local businesses near the intersection of West 84th Avenue and Huron Street in Thornton, Colorado. Click markers for detailed information about each location affected by the fire.
Coordinated Multi-Agency Emergency Response
Non-Critical Injuries Reported
Five people suffered injuries in the fire—four firefighters and one civilian—but Fire Chief Stephen Kelley confirmed none were critical. All injured individuals are expected to recover from the incident.
Residential Structures Protected
Despite flames reaching within 50-100 feet of Pinnacle Charter School and approaching the fence line of residential properties, no homes were destroyed thanks to rapid response efforts from multiple fire departments.
Business Impacts Under Evaluation
While residential structures were spared, businesses including Rol Race Motorsports reported damage. Owner Jason Rol confirmed the loss of multiple vehicles in a storage lot adjacent to the fire zone.
School Operations Resumed
Pinnacle Charter School dismissed students early on Wednesday but resumed normal activities on Thursday, February 26, 2026, according to school officials and Fire Chief Kelley’s afternoon briefing.
Cause Under Investigation
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Thornton Fire Department. The blaze started in a greenbelt area between residential neighborhoods and commercial properties near the intersection of West 84th Avenue and Huron Street.
Regional Fire Context
The incident comes as Colorado faces increased wildfire risks across the Front Range. Learn about evacuation procedures and air quality impacts from fires.
Fire Contained, Crews Monitor Overnight
The Thornton grass fire was contained at 2:07 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, after burning approximately 10 acres near Pinnacle Charter School. Fire crews remained on scene overnight to monitor hot spots and ensure the fire did not rekindle amid ongoing red flag warning conditions.
Evacuation orders were lifted at 3:30 p.m., allowing residents to return to their homes in neighborhoods northeast of the fire. The school resumed normal operations on Thursday. Fire Chief Stephen Kelley confirmed no residential structures were lost in the fire, though the impact on nearby businesses continues to be assessed.
The fire response involved between 100 and 150 firefighters from multiple agencies across the Denver metro area. The incident occurred during the second consecutive day of powerful, gusty winds hitting the Front Range and Eastern Plains. Similar fire conditions have affected communities nationwide, as seen in drought-affected regions and areas experiencing prescribed burn programs. The Thornton incident was discussed in relation to air quality concerns similar to those documented in urban pollution studies and air quality monitoring efforts.
Additional information about the fire’s cause and full assessment of property damage will be released as the investigation continues, according to officials from the Thornton Fire Department and regional emergency services.
