TWO GRASS FIRES BURING ON FORT CARSON
Updated by SCOTT HARRISON and Baaron Pittengers.harrison@krdo.com/ b.pittenger@krdo.com
FORT CARSON- While the Quarry Fire at Ft. Carson remains only 10 percent contained, the danger has decreased somewhat Wednesday morning. That said, Mountain Post Garrison Commander Col. Gene Smith reported around 11 am that there were still hot spots inside the fire lines that could cause problems as the wind increases during the day. They could flare up and spread if thewind conditions get too bad,Smith said. The winds had already grown to the point where air support had to be grounded.
Regarding the fire preimeter, Smith says there is no active fire along the perimeter, but containment cannot be declared until there is a space of about 200 feet of “cold” vegitation around the fire. He says that has not been achieved.The fire is about 6,500 acres.
Col. Smith was asked about training policies as they relate to fire danger and he says a danger assessment is always made before training begins. He says in this case the training was underway before the red flag (high fire danger) warning was issued and the decision was that it was safe to go ahead with training. Smith says the explosives demolition training using C-4 was taking place in a rock quarry where it was believed the danger of fire was low. However, Smith says after a particular explosion there was more smoke than normal and soldiers involved in the training rushed in with fire extinguishers, but flames had already begun to spread. Col. Smith says extremely dry condiotions contributed to the fast spread of the fire.
Col. Smith says that fire danger assessments sometimes do mean training is called off or, in other cases, fire crews are put on stand-by at the training location.
Smith says in the three years he has been in command at the Mountain Post, this is the first time a fire has left the Post boundaries. He says he worked very closely with Fountain Fire Chief Darin Anstine to make sure there were enough resources available to fight the fire both on andoff post. Smith says area departments have great mutual aid agreements. Heestimatedthat there were nearly 15 area fire agencies or departments involved in fighting the fire.
The U.S. Forest Service of the Rocky Mountain Region closely monitored the Ft. Carson fire. A spokesperson says it’s an unfortunate reminder ofthe threat of wildfires in Southern Colorado even in the colder months of the year. You can find safety tips on the U.S. Forest Service website by clicking here.
