Grass fire near Air Force Academy temporarily closes I-25 between Interquest and North Gate

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- UPDATE: The New Santa Fe Trail near the Air Force Academy is safe after a close call with a two-acre grass fire Saturday afternoon.

It started around 12:30 on Interstate 25 between North Gate Boulevard and Interquest Parkway.

A captain with the United States Air Force Academy Fire Department said the fire started from a car that blew a tire. Sparks from the wheel grinding on the pavement ignited the grass fire.

The wind started blowing the fire towards the trees lining the New Santa Fe Trail. But firefighters say the wind changed direction, and they were able to contain it before it spread to the trail.

"The wind had been working against us," said CAPT Michael Fitzpatrick. "If it hadn't changed when it did, we would have had a much worse situation with the fuels and dry conditions around here."

Clifton Rowden and his wife were parked on the shoulder downwind of the fire. Their car broke down and the fire developed in front of them as they waited for a tow.

"Yeah, the trees were just kind of exploding in flames," he said. "It was pretty crazy. Everybody started running this way, like screaming and stuff, and I'm like... oh, no! This is going to be bad."

It took crews from Colorado Springs and the AFA about two hours to get the fire contained and put out.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Firefighters are on scene of a grassfire in the area of I-25 and Interquest Parkway.

Crews have the interstate closed between Interquest Parkway (exit 153) and Northgate Boulevard (exit 156). The southbound lanes are blocked and the northbound left lane is currently closed at mile marker 154 in Colorado Springs.

Traffic is being diverted onto North Gate Blvd.

Firefighters are asking drivers to try and avoid the area and to expect some delays. At this time, the cause of the fire is undetermined.