A golfer was taken to the hospital after being struck by lightning at Fox Hollow Golf Course in Lakewood, Colorado, on Tuesday evening. The lightning strike also ignited a two-acre brush fire that required more than four hours for West Metro Fire Rescue (WMFR) crews to contain.
Fire officials first reported the lightning strike shortly before 6:30 p.m. A 911 caller also reported a golfer had been struck near the sixth hole. The injured golfer, whose name has not been released, was hospitalized but discharged on Wednesday morning.
The lightning hit a patch of dry brush and downed trees on the golf course, igniting a fire that spread through grass and brush. The fire was described as slow-moving and initially estimated to cover about an acre. Ultimately, the blaze consumed two acres before firefighters could contain it. No homes or structures were threatened or damaged.
Crews worked to build a containment line around the fire and stop its growth. Firefighters were observed hosing down the affected area, which was reduced to dirt and burned trees with scorched leaves. Images shared by WMFR showed large logs actively burning, with smoke rising over the hills.
To ensure the fire was fully extinguished, crews remained on scene for an extended period to complete mop-up operations. This meticulous process involves digging into ash and pulling apart smoldering material to extinguish hidden pockets of heat, preventing re-ignition. Firefighters utilized a drone equipped with infrared technology to help locate these hot spots within the burned area.
Officials warned residents that some smoke might be visible in the coming days as temperatures rise, which can cause lingering embers to reignite.