One of three fires burning on U.S. military installations near Colorado Springs is fully contained, and the other two are 75% contained, according to Tuesday morning updates from Fort Carson army post and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Fort Carson reported two wildfires on training ranges: one that started Sunday and burned about 700 acres and one that started Monday and has burned about 2,700 acres. The Air Force Academy reported the West Monument Creek fire that started Sunday on the south end of academy grounds and burned about 168 acres.
Good news coming from the fire lines of the #WestMonumentCreekFire on the @AF_Academy this morning. This video was shot by our hand crew working on the fire and shows the current weather conditions over the fire area. A very dramatic change from how they started the day. pic.twitter.com/7uPOEYcKr4
— USFS_Pike&San Isabel (@PSICC_NF) February 27, 2024
The first, 700-acre Fort Carson fire is 100% contained, according to a 9:40 a.m. news release. The second fire, which ballooned to about 2,700 acres burned since the first Monday morning report of 100 acres, is 75% contained.
That fire began at Training Range 153 near the eastern perimeter.
Fire crews expected a heavy band of snow that blew through the Front Range on Tuesday to assist in extinguishing the fire, but an army post spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for a Tuesday afternoon update.
No structures or personnel were threatened by the fire.
The West Monument Creek fire on Air Force Academy grounds stopped spreading Monday night and stayed at 168 acres burned, and an 11 a.m. update posted by the academy at 1:15 p.m. on X stated the fire was 75% contained.
The pre-evacuation orders for residents in the area were rescinded Monday evening.
Related Articles
Wildfires burn at Air Force Academy, Fort Carson on Colorado’s second day of Red Flag warnings
Douglas County grass fire grows to 153 acres, 80% contained
100-acre fire burning in Pueblo County 100% contained Friday
Colorado’s first Firehawk is nearly ready to fight fires after longer delays than expected
The academy Tuesday morning was open to only Defense Department ID cardholders, contractors, and District 20 students, but the Clune Arena will be open Tuesday evening for ticketholders to the Academy basketball game.
The child development centers and military treatment facilities reopened Tuesday for regular hours.
A video posted by the U.S. Forest Service of their crews working on the fire showed heavy snow in the area.
A spokesperson for the academy said they did not have a current update on the fire after the heavy snow blew through the area.