A stubborn wildfire burning south of Colorado Springs exploded to 4,605 acres by Sunday night and remains completely uncontained, forcing evacuations, closing Highway 115, and putting dozens of rural homes in immediate danger six days after it ignited.
Fort Carson firefighters, backed by local and state crews, have made protecting the west side of Highway 115 their top priority, successfully keeping flames from jumping the road despite relentless wind and bone-dry conditions.
Firefighters Hold the Line at Highway 115
Fort Carson officials said Sunday night that ground crews spent the past 48 hours strengthening control lines east of the highway and patrolling constantly to protect homes and ranches on the west side.
“Over the past 24-48 hours, significant efforts were made to prevent the fire from crossing to the west side of the highway. Crews are currently patrolling the highway to protect homes and equities west of Highway 115,” the garrison said in its latest update.
The fire has not damaged any structures so far, but the threat remains critical.
Two heavy air tankers and two super scooper planes dropped retardant and water all weekend while 170 firefighters worked the ground, using deliberate burn operations to rob the main fire of fuel.
How Big the ’24 Fire’ Has Grown Since Wednesday
The blaze started small but ballooned fast under record heat and gusty winds:
- March 18: Sparked east of Highway 115 near mile marker 24
- March 19 morning: Jumped onto Fort Carson training land, grew to 65 acres
- March 20: Reached ~1,067 acres, prompted first evacuations
- March 21 evening: Nearly 1,923 acres
- March 22 late morning: Just under 4,600 acres
- March 23 evening: 4,605 acres, 0% contained
Most of the burn area sits inside Fort Carson’s vast training grounds, about 20 miles south of the main post. That distance has kept post buildings safe, but the fire’s location right along the highway put rural neighborhoods in the crosshairs.
Evacuations Still in Place Monday Morning
Mandatory evacuation orders cover roughly 50-55 homes north of Penrose around County Road F45 and Highway 115.
A wider pre-evacuation notice stretches three miles around the fire perimeter.
Highway 115 remains closed from Rock Creek Canyon Road to mile marker 18 (three miles north of Penrose). Colorado Department of Transportation has no estimated reopening time.
Residents, pets, and livestock can go to Pathfinder Park in Florence for shelter. Call 719-276-7421 for the latest evacuation information.
Cooler Weather Offers Hope, But Smoke Will Stay Heavy
Fremont County Sheriff’s Office struck an optimistic note Sunday, pointing to shifting winds and cooler temperatures in the forecast.
Overnight crews made good progress. Winds expected to turn east and temperatures dropping into the 60s should give firefighters their best chance yet to gain ground.
Still, officials warn smoke will be thick and visible across the region Monday as hot spots continue flaring inside the burn scar.
Fort Carson expressed deep gratitude to partners and the community for donations and support pouring in for the fire department.
Six days in, the ’24 Fire has tested every resource southern Colorado can throw at it, yet the simple fact that no homes have burned and no one has been hurt stands as proof of how hard these crews are working. For the families waiting to return home and the firefighters still on the line, every percentage point toward containment matters. Share your thoughts below, and if you’re talking about the fire on social media, use #24Fire so the whole state can follow the fight together.
