Two Boulder County wildfires were sparked by downed Xcel lines, fire districts say

Two December wildfires, one of which prompted hundreds in the Boulder County foothills to evacuate, were caused by downed Xcel Energy lines that the utility re-energized without checking for damage, according to leaders of two area fire districts. That same day, Koehler and Sunshine Fire Chief Michael Schmitt reported a downed power line that was blocking Sunshine Canyon Drive to Boulder County dispatch. Dispatch told Schmitt they then informed Xcel of the downed line. This fire was “without a doubt” started by sparks from a downed line that Xcel had re-energized, according to Schmitt, who was the second person on scene. When he arrived on scene, the downed line was in the center of the fire area.