Fire burning on Fort Carson land now contained; 2,800 acres burned

UPDATE: Fort Carson said at 12:25 p.m. Monday that the fire burning on Fort Carson land is now contained.

Fire investigators confirmed the fire started at the Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex early Sunday afternoon.

As of 10:30 a.m. Monday a Fort Carson spokesperson said in total the fire has burned 2,800 acres.

Crews from Fort Carson, Fountain Fire Department, El Paso County, Hannover and Security all helped battle the flames. Currently, only two crews from Fort Carson remain.

“The fire danger that we have had all year of course and the high winds both were a factor in this fire,” a Fort Carson spokesperson said. “The winds were changing and moving directions very quickly.”

A plume of smoke was visible in the area Sunday afternoon. Our reporter at the scene said you can see the flames from I-25. Southbound I-25 at mile marker 132 was shutdown for a few hours because of the fire, but was re-opened around 4:30 p.m.

“It got really smokey, the entire area got smokey,” said Barb Fahlman, staying just yards away from where the fire burned.

There were precautionary evacuations for about 10 homes and businesses in Fountain, but those have been lifted.

“We were ready to hook up the trailer and get out,” said Lee Christopherson, who’s been staying at the KOA Holiday Campground in Fountain. “The fire started out small and then it just took off with the wind.”

This is a developing story, so stay with KRDO.com for updates.