Bear Creek Fire Burns Near Homes In Colorado Springs Before Evacuations Lifted

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - A neighborhood in western Colorado Springs was evacuated for several hours Thursday afternoon due to a new wildfire. The Bear Creek Fire is burning in Bear Creek Park close to houses, but no structures were damaged.

Copter4 video over the fire showed the burn area was halted at the line of many properties directly adjacent to the park. About 235 homes were evacuated on Thursday afternoon and all evacuations were lifted at 8 p.m.

"We have so many residents in Colorado Springs that take mitigation seriously. I can't thank them enough," said one fire official at the 5 p.m. briefing.

The size of the fire was estimated to be 23 acrews. The fire was 50% contained as of 8 p.m. Thursday.

Firefighters were initially having difficulties due to residents putting on their sprinkler systems and taking some of the water pressure away from the direct firefight.

There are several road closures in the area due to the fire, including Buena Vista, Bear Creek, Gold Camp Road and Vista Grande. Some of those road closures were lifted when the evacuation order was lifted.

All homes west of Vista Grande Drive were placed under the mandatory evacuation order and evacuees were urged to go to Cheyenne Mountain High School.

A helicopter was called in to do water drops on the fire. About 8,000 gallons of water was dropped on the fire.

Smoke from the fire could be seen from all across the city. What caused the fire is being investigated.