A small wildfire broke out above Boulder on Tuesday night, burning near Realization Point and Artist Point on Flagstaff Mountain. Boulder Fire-Rescue responded after calls began coming in around 8:40 p.m. reporting flames on the Flatirons.
Initial scanner traffic estimated the fire at about 2 acres with low flames at 10 p.m. The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office described it as isolated and slow moving, with no evacuation orders and no structures threatened.
Open Space and Mountain Parks rangers located the fire within an hour, identifying Artist Point as the best access point for crews. Wildland firefighters carrying more than 50 pounds of gear hiked steep, rocky terrain in the dark to reach the area, where they began extinguishing flames and constructing a fire line. The fire was visible from Gunbarrel and from several points in the city.
Images from the Watch Duty app and other observers showed a small plume burning on a ridge behind the Star as crews worked to define the perimeter.
By 11:30 p.m., Boulder Fire-Rescue reported that multiple regional agencies had reached the area and had water on the fire. Officials noted limited growth and steady progress on containment.
Around 1 a.m. on Nov. 19, incident command declared the Realization Fire fully contained. Most crews were released around 3 a.m., while a smaller group stayed overnight to patrol for hotspots and continue mop-up work. As of Wednesday afternoon, wildland crews remained at Artist Point.
The fire ultimately burned about 1 acre. No injuries were reported.
The cause remains under investigation, though officials say they have ruled out natural causes and electrical infrastructure — indicating the fire was human-caused. Artist Point, Realization Point and the Boy Scout Trail will remain closed for the rest of Wednesday to allow crews to finish suppression work and ensure the area is safe for the public.
Boulder Fire-Rescue said the response highlighted the value of mutual aid, with assistance from Sugarloaf Fire, Boulder Emergency Squad and its drone team, Fourmile Fire, Sunshine Canyon Fire, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, and Open Space and Mountain Parks rangers.
BIG thanks to the fire fighters!