A fast-moving blaze dubbed the “24 Fire” ripped through dry brush in Fremont County Friday afternoon, jumping containment lines and pushing onto Fort Carson land. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for dozens of homes north of Penrose as flames burned within two miles of residences.

By late Friday, the fire had grown to 1,067 acres with zero percent containment, prompting officials to extend the Highway 115 closure and warn residents to leave immediately.

Fire Jumps Lines, Races Onto Military Base

The fire started Wednesday morning near mile marker 24 on Highway 115. It initially stayed small, holding at just 15 acres Wednesday evening.

Everything changed Thursday afternoon.

Winds pushed flames east across the highway and directly onto Fort Carson property. Containment dropped to 0% within hours.

A Fort Carson spokesperson said overnight air and ground operations Friday morning kept the fire from jumping west of the highway, where about 50 homes and buildings sit exposed.

“Fire behavior remains extreme,” officials said Friday evening. “Dry fuels, warm temperatures, and gusty winds are driving rapid growth.”

Mandatory Evacuations Ordered for 50-55 Homes

At 2:22 p.m. Friday, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office issued mandatory evacuation orders for all homes within two miles of County Road F45 and Highway 115.

A three-mile “get set” notice was also sent to surrounding areas.

Officials estimate 50 to 55 homes fall inside the mandatory zone.

Residents, pets, and livestock are being directed to Pathfinder Park in Florence for shelter. The evacuation hotline (719-276-7421) has been flooded with calls.

So far, no injuries and no homes lost, a small miracle firefighters are working hard to protect.

Highway 115 Closure Extended Indefinitely

Colorado State Patrol and CDOT closed Highway 115 from mile marker 18 to mile marker 39 Friday afternoon. The closure has no estimated reopening time.

Travelers between Colorado Springs and Cañon City must use alternate routes, adding hours to normal drives.

Smoke remains heavy across southern El Paso County and northern Fremont County. Colorado Springs residents reported thick haze and ash falling Friday evening.

Firefighters Face Brutal Conditions on the Ground

More than a dozen agencies are now on scene, including Fort Carson fire crews, Fremont County, Colorado Springs Fire Department, and mutual aid teams from across the region.

Crews worked through the night dropping water and retardant while bulldozers cut fresh fire lines.

“These are some of the driest conditions we’ve seen in years,” one incident commander told reporters on scene. “The grass and brush are exploding the moment they touch flame.”

Temperatures in the 70s, single-digit humidity, and gusts up to 30 mph have turned routine fire behavior into something far more dangerous.

Residents shared dramatic cell-phone videos of walls of flame racing across hills, with bright orange glows visible for miles after dark.

The emotional toll is already showing. Families loaded horses into trailers, grabbed photo albums and pets, and drove away from homes they have lived in for decades.

One evacuee told 11 News, “We built this house with our own hands. Watching that fire come over the ridge, my stomach dropped. We’re praying the firefighters can save it.”

As of Friday night, flames continue burning unchecked in steep, rugged terrain that limits where crews can safely work.

Officials say the next 24 hours will be critical. A slight drop in winds Saturday morning could give firefighters their first real chance to gain the upper hand.

For now, hundreds of people wait in limbo, refreshing maps and social media, hoping their homes will still be standing when they are allowed to return.

The 24 Fire is a stark reminder that fire season in Colorado never really ends anymore. One spark in bone-dry conditions can change lives in minutes.

What do you think about this blaze and the evacuation orders? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and if you’re local, stay safe out there.