COLORADO SPRINGS — The Colorado Springs Fire Department is working on mop-up and structure protection from a grass fire between two neighborhoods near Stetson Hills Blvd and Peterson Rd, known as the Akerman Fire.
The fire was reported at approximately 11:19 am behind homes on Akerman Dr near the Sand Creek Trail in an open space area between the neighborhoods. Dry fuel and debris in the area were the immediate danger right behind the homes, and the fire grew to about 30 acres.
Approximately 500 homes were forced to evacuate, affecting about 1,000 people.
According to CSFD, about 26 units responded and 100 Colorado Springs police officers assisted with evacuations.
Crews were able to get the fire under control in 3 hours, and by 4 p.m. all evacuations in the area were lifted.
Responding agencies included the Cheyenne Mountain Fire Department, Fountain Fire Department, Manitou Springs Fire Department, Fort Carson Fire Department, CSU and Black Forest.
The Rocky Mountain Vibes opened UCHealth Park as a safe evacuation site and will have on-field entertainment and refreshments for those who needed it.
We ARE a safe evacuation site here at UCHealth Park! Our gates are open, we have on-field entertainment going, and refreshments available for those who need a safe place to shelter. @KOAA @KKTV11News @FOX21News @KRDONewsRadio pic.twitter.com/k3mzy5FqcL
— Rocky Mountain Vibes (@VibesBaseball) May 12, 2022
A couple of homes were damaged and some fences were destroyed.
Information released overnight revealed the fire started by smoldering ashes from a fire pit. The homeowner was ticketed and will be charged with a class six felony. CSFD says it will take a few hours to scrub the area.
At 9:30 p.m. the fire was declared 100 percent contained.
There are no reported injuries to residents or firefighters.
Even before a fire threatens your home, you'll want to have an emergency plan in place for you and your family. This should include ways to get in touch with everyone, a safe meeting place, and what actions to take if a disaster were to strike.
If a fire is burning nearby, pack your car ahead of time with necessary documents, medications, clothing, and other supplies.
When flames threaten, act fast! Don't feel the need to be told to leave if you feel unsafe.
If told to evacuate, you must go now. Finally, return home only when officials say that it's safe to do so.
First Alert 5 Weather Forecast
Strong to dangerous winds and extremely low daytime humidity will create locally extreme fire conditions in southern Colorado.
The two main areas for extreme fire danger are central to western El Paso and Huerfano counties. These two counties are under a high wind warning from the morning through 12 pm today as wind gusts could reach 60 to 70 mph.
Relative Humidity values could drop to as low as 2 percent across portions of southern Colorado today. Between that dry air and broad gusts over 30 mph, if a fire were to spark, it could undergo explosive growth.
Temperatures will generally be about 10 degrees cooler today than yesterday with more widespread highs in the 70s and 80s with only a couple 90s out near the CO/KS border.
Colorado Springs forecast: High: 77; Low: 42. Localized extreme fire danger is expected in El Paso County today, mainly for areas along and west of I-25 where wind gusts could be up to 60 or even 70 mph. Daytime humidity will fall to or even below 5% which will only add to the extreme fire danger.
Wildfire safety tips to consider before, during and after the flames
- Avoid activities with open flames or sparks
- Avoid power equipment that creates sparks
- Obey burn bans
- Properly discard cigarettes
- Keep vehicles off of dry grasses
- Call 911 to report smoke or fire
RELATED KOAA NEWS5 COVERAGE:
Wildfire safety tips to consider before, during and after the flames
'Surge': Colorado's evolving wildfire fast attack strategy
Local attractions review emergency plans in case of a wildfire
Reality check: wildfire season is year-round in Colorado
How to receive wildfire notifications
Colorado Springs Fire Department to host 'Living with Wildfire' Town Hall Series
_____
Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.
