Pre-Evacuation Warning Issued for Wildfire Near Cheyenne Mountain
Officials say a small, roughly 5-acre blaze in steep, fuel-heavy terrain will be fought with daytime crews and helicopter support to protect nearby homes.
Overview
- A wildfire that likely began from lightning was first reported just southwest of Cheyenne Mountain State Park on Tuesday evening and grew to an estimated 5 acres by early Wednesday morning.
- The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office issued a pre-evacuation warning for a 1.5-mile radius of Rock Creek Canyon Road and urged residents to be ready to leave or evacuate if they feel endangered.
- Colorado Springs Fire Department, the U.S. Forest Service, and Southwestern Highway 115 Fire monitored the incident overnight and used a CSFD drone for aerial assessment.
- Crews and helicopters are planned for daytime attack because steep, rugged terrain and heavy fuels limited nighttime aviation and ground access.
- Reporters observed flames and smoke visible from nearby vantage points overlooking a mobile home park and about 25 homes, and city officials said there are no citywide evacuation orders for Colorado Springs at this time.