Firefighters continue to tackle active hot spots in second day of Meridian Fire
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — As the second day of the Meridian Fire drags on, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSO) said Friday afternoon that they are a few active hot spots burning. Residents could see active flames, though crews are working diligently to quell them.
As of 1:18 P.M., EPSO says Franceville Road from Highway 94 South is closed due to the hotspots.
As of this morning, the fire was 80% contained. Increasing that level will be difficult with another day of strong winds.
While there are no more mandatory evacuations as of Thursday evening, those living in the impacted area near Schriever Space Force Base can wait it out at shelters provided by the Red Cross.
MORE DETAILS: Red Cross opens shelters in Peyton, Calhan in response to Meridian Fire
Along Curtis Road, a scene of contrasts: Burned grass only a few feet from several homes; one field charred while an adjacent field was untouched; and another field with only tan-colored prairie dog mounds poking through the ashes.
An Ellicott fire truck sprayed water along both sides of Curtis Road — likely to soak the fire's perimeter in preparation for Friday's firefighting effort and/or to extinguish any remaining sparks or smoldering that could ignite another fire.
Authorities haven't revealed how the fire started, though they believe it was an accident.
The Garlin family lives in a house just a few feet from where the flames crossed Curtis Road; they evacuated and didn't notice how close the fire came until they awoke Friday morning.
"I came outside, you could see it coming over the hill," he said. "We just started spraying down the house, spraying down the property. It's a very good thing we keep it mowed down. I called my wife and we evacuated with our two cars and our pets."
His daughter, Neveah, was in school when evacuations began.
"I think it's crazy," she exclaimed. "They kept us until 7 (p.m.). They said if my parents could pick us up, we had to stay until 7 and they'd figure us a way out."
The Garlins said that that they first went to a gas station in nearby Ellicott, then stayed in their cars near their home until evacuations were lifted.
A neighbor who declined to give his name, is upset about the fire.
"Whomever started it should have to pay a stiff fine and reimburse the 30 fire agencies who responded," he said. "Most of us, if our homes burn down, we can't afford to rebuild them and insurance won't cover it."
