Colorado brush fire caused by electrocuted birds falling to the ground

A brush fire near a Denver water treatment plant started when a group of electrocuted birds fell to the ground, firefighters said.

According to West Metro Fire, more than 40 firefighters responded to the blaze on Tuesday. The fire prompted voluntary evacuation orders for the area around the fire, officials said.

"The fire was caused by a group of birds that were electrocuted by power equipment, caught fire and then fell to the ground, igniting the dry grass below," West Metro Fire said.

RELATED: Smokey Bear turns 80: Here's how the fictional face of fire prevention was born

A voluntary evacuation order was issued for the Rampart Range Road and Roxborough Park Road areas due to the fire, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said.

RELATED: Puppies rescued from California's Park Fire by rescuer who ran nearly 2 miles

Also this week, a California man was charged with igniting a destructive California wildfire in early July by throwing a firework from a car window during hot, dry and windy weather.

RELATED: Symbol of resilience: Lahaina's historic banyan tree thrives a year after deadly wildfire

Spencer Grant Anderson, of Oroville, was charged Monday after weeks of continuous surveillance by investigators. The Thompson fire scorched nearly 6 square miles, destroyed 13 homes and damaged others in the Oroville area of the northern Sacramento Valley.