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A golfer was hit by lightning on a Colorado a golf course amidst a storm which also caused a two-acre grass fire.
A man was taken to the hospital following an encounter with lightning at Fox Hollow Golf Course on Tuesday night.
The strike also sparked a small fire that required more than four hours for teams from West Metro Fire Rescue (WMFR) to control, as reported by WMFR.
The wounded individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, was transported to the hospital and released early Wednesday, as reported by WMFR.
Emergency personnel initially noted a lightning hit at Fox Hollow Golf Course in Lakewood’s District 5 just prior to 6:30 pm, as a 911 call mentioned a golfer being affected close to the sixth green.
It was characterized as a "slow-burning grass and shrub fire," with initial estimates suggesting it spanned approximately an acre, as reported by emergency responders.
In an update shared on X WMFR shared two images depicting smoke coming from far-off hills. The accompanying message stated, "A fire is visible to the east of Morrison Road," noting that it seemed to be consuming only grass.
A subsequent update indicated that the lightning bolt struck a collection of "dead and dry fuel" located in a challenging section of the golf course, which included grass, shrubs, and fallen trees, all situated near "irrigated greens."
The organization stated that the fire eventually consumed two acres before firefighters managed to control it, without any residences or buildings being at risk or harmed.
Firefighters could be observed spraying water over the impacted zone, where there was no trace of vegetation left—just soil and charred trees, along with neighboring foliage that had been damaged by the fire.
Additional photos released by the organization showed massive sections of fallen trees continuing to burn intensely, featuring vivid orange flames glowing under the debris while clouds of smoke drifted above the hills.
Teams are operating along the fire perimeter and control area," another report stated. "The spread of the fire has ceased.
The pictures also revealed firefighters employing hoses to extinguish lingering fire spots and utilizing equipment to clear the earth to exposed soil, eliminating potential materials that could sustain additional flames.
Crews mentioned they planned to stay at the location for a minimum of four hours to finish "mop-up" tasks and confirm that no lingering fire sources reignited.
Authorities posted drone video on X showing the operation, accompanied by a description stating that 'mop-up' is 'one of the key elements in combating a wildfire.'
"Firefighters carefully navigate the burnt zone, sifting through ashes, separating burning logs and vegetation, and putting out remaining sources of heat," the organization stated.
Even a lone spark remaining can flare up again under suitable circumstances. However, this is among the most critical tasks at the scene of a fire.
The posting referred to Tuesday's golf course fire as "precisely the type of material" required to remain burning even after the fires had died down, "highlighting the importance of cleanup."
Cleaning up takes time. It's messy. It requires attention to detail. And it's not particularly exciting," the caption stated. "Yet, it's among the most crucial tasks at the scene of a fire.
WMFR mentioned that firefighters were utilizing a drone equipped with thermal imaging capabilities to identify areas of heat, posting images of the mission on X.
Authorities also cautioned locals in the region that they might observe "minimal smoke emerging from inside the fire" tomorrow, noting that this phenomenon can happen when temperatures rise.
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