March 29th 2024
A fire ignited on the grounds of Fort Carson military base in Colorado, prompting a swift response from firefighters. The blaze reportedly started behind Patriot Elementary School around 1 p.m., initially covering approximately 10 acres and emitting thick smoke visible across Colorado Springs.
By 3:30 p.m., firefighters reported that the fire had expanded to 106 acres and was 20% contained. While they deemed the fire "under control," continuous monitoring was planned throughout the night due to concerns about high winds exacerbating the situation.
Scheduled controlled burns at the military base were canceled due to the windy conditions, with the cause of the fire remaining unknown at this time. Although Patriot Elementary School was evacuated, no students were present as the school was on spring break.
Precautionary pre-evacuation orders were issued for the Sam Houston Loop within the Dakota Ridge subdivision. Additionally, both Cheyenne Mountain Child Development Center and Patriot School Age Services were evacuated to the youth center for safety measures.
Gate 1 of the base was closed to inbound traffic, permitting only emergency vehicles to exit the area. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as efforts to contain and extinguish the fire progress.
