In El Paso County, Colorado off of Highway 24, outside Manitou Springs is where this fire is. This huge forest and wildland fire started on June 23, 2012 and quickly used up emergency resources to try and quickly bring it under control. As of 6:30PM MST, 11,000 people have been evacuated from the areas threatened. This fire has burned over 2500 acres, and has 0% containment. This fire threatens to burn the City of Manitou Springs, and the West Side of Colorado Springs if not brought under control soon. Evacuations are in place at this time for multiple El Paso and Teller County towns and cities. Please obey all orders to evacuate as emergency resources are brought in from local, state, other states, federal, and international sources to get this fire contained. Stay tuned with your local news stations on the radio, tv, or smart phone for updates and also monitor http://www.elpasoco.com/Pages/default.aspx for the latest closures and evacuation orders. Please support your local Red Cross with resources and donations to help out with evacuees of this emergency. Also monitor this page for evacuation updates: http://news.elpasoco.com/Pages/default.aspx?ReleaseID=547 Please do not use weedeaters, outdoor grills, or anything else that could spark up an additional fire. Resources need to focus on this emergency as much as possible, and you being extra cautious will be greatly appreciated. If you are in the Colorado Springs Area you can bring donations of bottled water and non-perishable food items to Care and Share at 2605 Preamble Point Colorado Springs, CO 80915. If at all possible stay indoors in a climate-controlled area to reduce your chances of heat exhaustion emergencies and other heat related injuries due to the high outdoor temperatures.
Fire Facts as of June 28, 2012:
Date started: June 23, 2012
Number of Personnel: 1,008
Location: West of Colorado Springs
Crews: 27
Size: 18,500 acres
Engines: 73
Percent Contained: 5%
Water Tenders: 3
Estimated Containment: 7/16/12
Helicopters: 2 Type 1, 2 Type 2 and 2 Type 3
Cause: Under investigation
Injuries to Date: 0
Structures threatened: 20,085 residences and 160 commercial structures
Evacuees: Approx. 32, 000
Cost to Date: $3, 200, 000
Structures lost Yet to be determined
Announcement:
Staffed road closures will be in effect at the following locations:
·● Forest Road 320, one half mile west of Mitchell Ave.
·● Forest Road 320 at Road 300. Road 300 will remain open.
·● Hwy 24 at the El Paso/Teller County line.