West Monument Creek Fire has an estimated 150 acres and is not contained. The fire began on Sunday, west of Pine Housing in the U.S. Air Force Academy grounds.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Co.- U.S. Air Force Academy students and staff are on alert following a grassfire that started on Sunday. The fire was fueled by strong winds blowing on the Academy grounds.
Around 1 p.m. on Sunday, crews from the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs Fire Department, and U.S. Forest Service responded to this blaze.
Air Force Academy officials stated that the fire started west of Pine Housing and was estimated at 150 acres. According to CSFD, a current estimate of containment was not available on Monday.
Fire map as of 6 p.m. #usafa pic.twitter.com/wFYgxUJWy1
— U.S. Air Force Academy (@AF_Academy) February 26, 2024
Fire Weather Warning in El Paso County Colorado including Colorado Springs until Monday evening
The combination of high winds and relative humidity between 13% and 13% has created dangerous fire conditions. A spark can easily spread. On Monday, it was forecast that the high would be in the 60s and the winds were west-southwest.
We appreciate the coordination and work done by the Colorado Springs Fire Department, and the U.S. Forest Service to fight this fire. Dan Werner, 10th Air Base Wing Colonel, said that they would continue to monitor the fire throughout the night to ensure the safety of the Academy’s students and staff.
A grassfire burning on U.S. Air Force Academy grounds in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Sunday, February 25, 2024.
Residents of Pine Valley and Douglass Valley received pre-evacuation notifications when the fire began on Sunday. No residents have yet been ordered to leave.
Academy officials stated that if an evacuation is ordered, Hunt Housing and Academy’s first responders would notify residents.
The fire at the U.S. Air Force Academy was still burning Monday morning.
Two helicopters from Fort Carson will assist in watering down the fire.
During the firefight, the academy closed its Visitor Center and facility to the general public. The campus was only open Monday morning to contractors and Department of Defense card holders.
