Firefighters respond to wildfire in Bear Creek Park area of southwest Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs Fire Department said that the Bear Creek Fire burning on the southwest side of town is 50% contained as of about 8 p.m. Thursday.
CSPFD provided another update Thursday night at 8 p.m. on the status of the fire:
As of Thursday night, the Bear Creek Fire is 23 acres, updated from the flight that went over at 5:30 p.m. In addition, all evacuees in the area are able to go back to their homes.
CSFD crews said that helicopters were able to drop about 8,000 gallons of water on hot spots, in addition to fire retardant. Fire crews are expected to make their way into the fire to extinguish more spots on the ground throughout the night. Air operations have stopped for the night.
CSFD Chief Ted Collas reported at 4:30 p.m. that no structures were lost, and there was minimal damage to the area.
Firefighters from El Paso County and the U.S. Forest Service also responded to the fire.
Crystal Martin, who has lived on Electra Drive for 30 years, said the fire started in her backyard. She and her husband watched it spread on video recorded by their doorbell camera.
"I wasn't aware of the fire until I heard sirens and saw fire engines arriving," she said. "Within five minutes, this fire was so fierce. Trees were exploding. Absolutely, we were scared. We got out immediately. We had about five seconds to get out. All we could grab was our bird, and what we had on."
The cause of the fire hadn't been determined as of Thursday evening.
Earlier
The Colorado Springs Fire Department was called to a brush fire near Bear Creek Park that threatened buildings Thursday.
According to CSFD, the fire burned grass and brush, but structures were threatened. Viewers reported seeing smoke in the area from S. 21st Street in west Colorado Springs.
CSFD estimated the size of the fire was about eight to 10 acres as of 2:15 p.m. and was 0% contained.
The Colorado Springs Police Department issued an evacuation notice for those living in the area of 3000 Electra Drive. Evacuees can meet at Cheyenne Mountain High School.
This is the Colorado Springs Police Department with an urgent message. Today is 11-19-2020. The Fire Department is working a wild land fire at Bear Creek Road & Gold Camp Road.
— CSPD Communications (@CSPDComCenter) November 19, 2020
This is a MANDATORY EVACUATION notice. Leave the area immediately. A wildfire https://t.co/DemPa0pajA
CSPD also said that North Cheyenne Canyon Park, Bear Creek Park, and Red Rock Canyon are closed while crews battle the fire.
Evacuees were advised to go to Cheyenne Mountain High School, where the Red Cross was available to provide help.
Around 50 people went there and waited for word on whether they could return home Thursday night, according to school spokeswoman Susan Payne.
At this time, the cause of the fire isn't known. Firefighters haven't given an estimated size of the fire yet.
We're working on getting more information. Check back for updates.
#BREAKING A grass fire is burning near Bear Creek Park in Colorado Springs and CSFD says some structures are threatened. pic.twitter.com/3OxADOLk6n
— Andrew McMillan (@AndyMackReports) November 19, 2020
Update #ElectraFire- Electra Dr is evacuated at this time. Nebula Ct Evacuated. Please stay out of the area. We have multiple crews still responding into the fire #grassfire #ColoradoSpringsFire pic.twitter.com/3AVP4kVDmK
— CSFD PIO (@CSFDPIO) November 19, 2020
