Chaffee County fire crews responded to two wildfires over the weekend.
The first took place Saturday morning 2 miles west of Poncha Springs. When firefighters arrived, they encountered a 7-acre grass fire that was burning rapidly due to wind. They were able to extinguish the blaze with no structures damaged.
Sheriff’s deputies cited 61-year-old Michael Johnson for violation of the Stage 2 Fire Restrictions as it was determined that Johnson shot an exploding target that ignited the fire.
The second fire took place Saturday afternoon in a field east of Highway 285 at County Road 270.
Firefighters were quick on the scene and were able to control the fire after it burned 23 acres.
It was determined that the fire was started after a landowner using a brush hog hit a rock and causing a spark to ignite the fire.
No citation was issued.
