Firefighters doused a 3-acre fire Thursday near Marvel before it could reach any structures.
The fire began about 12:30 p.m. in the 3800 block of County Road 134.
A grinder throwing sparks is suspected of starting the fire, said Travis Schmitt, volunteer with the Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District. The flames spread through peat moss where three vehicles were parked.
The vehicles were non-functioning and were being used for parts, Schmitt said. They caught fire, but crews kept them from becoming fully engulfed, he said.
They also stopped the flames about 20 feet from the nearest structure, he said.
Crews used a 10,000-gallon water tank provided by La Plata County Road and Bridge to help douse the flames. The fire was considered under control by 5 p.m.
Other agencies that responded included the Durango, Southern Ute and Los Pinos fire districts.
Thursday was a red-flag warning day, meaning high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds made wildfire conditions especially dangerous.
epond@durangoherald.com
