A power line downed by a microburst ignited a fatal brush fire in Greeley, the city fire department said Tuesday.
The blaze broke out at 1:35 p.m. Sunday, killing a woman and a dog and critically injuring a man in a homeless encampment.
A fire department statement said:
"Investigators determined that the fire began in an area of dry vegetation located beneath a high‑voltage electrical transmission corridor.
"A localized dry microburst produced extreme wind gusts estimated between 85 and 100 mph. These winds displaced multiple wooden transmission-support structures, creating abnormal mechanical stress on the electrical system.
"This stress caused an energized conductor to fail at a compression connector, releasing electrical energy that ignited the vegetation below. Strong winds rapidly pushed the fire across approximately 22 acres of highway property and nearby rights‑of‑way.
"The fire extended into a nearby encampment, resulting in one civilian fatality, one canine fatality, and critical burn injuries to a second civilian. The investigation found no evidence that the fire originated within the encampment or that it was intentionally set."
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