Dry Creek fire prompts evacuation of DPS-owned Balarat Outdoor Education near Jamestown

Denver Public Schools sent home fifth graders from its Balarat Outdoor Education campus near Jamestown on Tuesday after the Dry Creek fire began burning in Boulder County.

The fire was covering about six acres roughly five miles north of the camp, the district said. Balarat was not under an evacuation order or a prepare-to-evacuate order at the time.

DPS spokesperson Scott Pribble said the district moved the students out “out of an abundance of caution.”

“Out of an abundance of caution, Denver Public Schools made the decision to return students to their homes today rather than keep them at the school with a wildfire nearby,” Pribble said.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office reported at 2:38 p.m. that about 100 fire personnel had responded and were making “steady progress.”

Balarat is a 750-acre outdoor education site owned by Denver Public Schools. Students use it for overnight field trips that take them from regular city classrooms to learn outside.

Pribble said the district plans to work with Balarat staff to reschedule the students’ trip before the end of the school year.

More fifth graders were scheduled to arrive at Balarat on Wednesday, but the district said that plan could change.