I-25 reopens after fire near Monument, no injuries reported
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- I-25 closed between Northgate Boulevard and Baptist Road near Monument due to fire activity on Monday.
According to the Monument Fire Protection District, the fire was contained to about 4.1 acres, with no reported injuries.
Photos courtesy of Monument Fire Protection District:
Crews received a call around 12:40 p.m. on Monday, July 13, reporting an outside fire near the highway.
Multiple agencies responded, including Colorado Springs Fire Department, Air Force Academy Fire, El Paso County Wildland, and others.
The fire caused a massive traffic jam as crews battled the blaze.
Anthony Cornoyer was among the drivers who were caught in the traffic jam.
"I was driving on I-25, and I literally, I had to bail because I saw the smoke, like, coming from I-25 to Baptist and I had to bail off Baptist," Cornoyer said. "And then it's like, then they close me and now I'm here. You see the 'Aspen Acres' fire, and it's like... I mean, you really hope you just don't get hit."
Ryan Burnes was also in the area when the fire sparked.
"I saw the smoke in the air, so I called 911 and then headed down here," Byrnes said. "I got on I-25 going north, and the entire highway was covered in smoke. There were fire engines coming from all different directions. I saw Larkspur, Colorado Springs, the Academy; they were coming from everywhere. I mean, it's crazy to see how fast these things can change and how fast they can pop up. Especially with the weather conditions that we have right now."
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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