Strong winds blow down tree on U.S. 24 in Ute Pass

Last week it was a rock slide, now it’s falling trees that catch the attention of drivers along U.S. 24 through Ute Pass.

Thursday’s strong winds uprooted a tall pine tree around 11 a.m. in the westbound lanes just east of Cascade.

Amazingly, the tree did not hit passing vehicles. Authorities directed traffic around the tree while Colorado Department of Transportation workers evaluated the situation.

Eventually, workers sawed the tree in half and towed the pieces away with a chain fastened to a truck.

Traffic returned to normal an hour later.

A mile farther west, the wind brought down a mechanical gate used to close a section of the highway during emergencies. The gate apparently fell into the median and missed eastbound traffic lanes.

Still farther west, In Woodland Park, residents said the wind wasn’t nearly as strong, only irritating.

“It’s blowing furniture around on decks, and plants,” said Alison Lew. “The front wall on our house moves in and out with the wind.”

Meanwhile, Colorado Springs Fire Chief Chris Riley advised people that the winds increased the fire danger, even with snow still on the ground.

“We would encourage people to mow their lawns and land because the light, grassy fuels for us are very dangerous in terms of fire,” he said. “They burn really quick, they burn really fast and they can have some devastating effects.”

Riley asked people to use caution and common sense.

“There’s a lot of dry vegetation out there,” he said. “A cigarette butt, a campfire, a cookout, anything like that can easily start a fire.”

Bill Wark of Woodland Park said he agrees with Riley that fire danger can be high at any time of the year.

“I’m not so worried about how I might start a fire,” he said. “I’m more worried about what other people might do, being careless.”