COLORADO SPRINGS – The Air Force Academy said a grass fire that burned on academy grounds Monday afternoon is fully contained.
The fire started a little before 2:30 p.m., producing smoke that was visible for miles around Colorado Springs, and created low visibility for drivers along I-25 near the north gate exit.
CSP Corporal Rob Debelak said troopers considered shutting down I-25 at one time due to heavy smoke, but the fire shifted direction, allowing the interstate to remain open.
Firefighters stayed on scene for several hours on the estimated 20-acre fire.
#WLD9 redeploying per command pic.twitter.com/MbmUgXv0jM
— CSFD PIO (@CSFDPIO) September 24, 2018
The Air Force Academy briefly closed the North Gate entrance, but it has since reopened.
No injuries were reported, no structures were threatened and CSP said no significant property loss was reported. Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including Colorado Springs, Tri-Lakes, Fort Carson and Black Forest firefighters.
Those crews did receive an assist from mother nature a little after 3 p.m. when a small band of rain fell over the fire.
Debelak said lightning might have caused the fire, but the cause remains under investigation.
A grass fire on US Air Force Academy property moves east towards Interstate 25. (City of Colorado Springs)
