Fire Burning North Of Air Force Academy
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- A fire is burning north of the Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs. The fire burned about 60 acres as of 8:10 p.m. Friday.
"It was about 2:20 p.m. when I could smell it from my office," said Patricia Olson.
"I saw flames and I saw fire coming from one specific area," said Monument resident Chris Abeyat.
The Beaver Creek Fire is burning between Green Mountain Road and Mt. Herman Road north of the AFA. The fire was burning in ponderosa pine and brush and winds were taking the flames uphill, away from homes in the area.
Two helicopters were making drops on the fire, along with a single engine air tanker tanker Friday afternoon into the evening. Firefighters will be kept on the fire lines overnight.
"You know this is our home, this is where we live and that's our playground back there, that's where we cut Christmas trees, that's where we four-wheel drive, that's where we camp," said Abeyta.
Firefighters from the AFA and El Paso County are battling the Beaver Creek Fire, along with crews from the U.S. Forest Service.
"Tomorrow is the telling time when that morning sun gets on this fire, it could be a whole different story," said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Gregg Goodland.
The fire is burning in a remote area. The cause of the fire is unknown and being investigated. No homes or structures are currently threatened. Fire engines are standing by near homes in case the winds do shift and bring the flames closer to homes.
Forest Service Road 311 was closed Friday evening while crews battled the fire.
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