Northbound I-25 closed, homes, schools and businesses evacuated after grass fire sparks north of Denver

Interstate 25 was closed Wednesday afternoon north of Denver and Thornton police officers were going door-to-door to evacuate residents after a grass fire sparked near the highway, according to law enforcement.

As of 12:35 p.m., I-25 was closed in both directions between U.S. 36 and 104th Avenue in Thornton for “safety concerns,” according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Cameras in the area showed thick, black smoke drifting across the highway.

Pinnacle High School and nearby businesses were being evacuated at that time and several roads around the fire — which sparked near the high school at West 84th Avenue and Huron Street — were closed, according to the Thornton Police Department.

The exact evacuation area is unknown, but police said it covers neighborhoods northeast of the fire.

“While we do have emergency personnel conducting manual evacuations, anyone who does not feel safe should evacuate,” police said. “Those who do not have anywhere to go can go to Water World as a safe gathering location.”

A grass fire burning near 84th Avenue and Huron Street in Thornton forced evacuations of Pinnacle High School and nearby businesses on Feb. 25, 2026. (Courtesy of the Thornton Police Department)

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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