Colorado Springs Airport Lifts Shelter In Place, Crews Get Upperhand On 200-Acre Wildfire
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- A shelter in place for the Colorado Springs Airport was issued, along with mandatory evacuations ordered Thursday afternoon for people living near a fire burning in the area of 5000 Alturas Drive in Colorado Springs. It was one of three grass fires that forced evacuations on Thursday.
The fire burning near the airport burned about 200 acres. Crews said they were gaining the upper hand on the fire around 7 p.m.
All evacuations were lifted for that fire and the airport resumed operations. That fire was started by sparks from an El Paso County deputy's cruiser that sparked some brush.
Evacuations have been lifted in the area of the #AlturasFire, to include the COS Airport. The airport and Powers Blvd. will remain closed. First responders will remain on scene overnight. https://t.co/aFOpAeqmDD
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) May 13, 2022
#ColoradoSpringsFire #WorkingGrassFire Crew from several agencies along with CSFD are on scene of grass fire at Milton Proby and Powers. South and Northbound Powers are closed pic.twitter.com/BV3LDDJvH6
— CSFD PIO (@CSFDPIO) May 12, 2022
Earlier in the day, the Colorado Springs Airport tweeted that there was a shelter in place for those inside the airport due to the wildfire. That shelter in place was lifted before 7 p.m.
At this time the shelter in place has been lifted at the airport. If travelers have vehicles parked at the airport they are free to leave. There will be shuttle busses on the lower level to take travelers off airport for those who need to be picked up.
— Colorado Springs Airport (@COSAirport) May 13, 2022
All inbound operations had ceased for a time during the firefight. Passengers were urged to contact their airline regarding flight status.
All inbound operations have ceased at this time. If you have an upcoming flight, please contact your airline directly.
— Colorado Springs Airport (@COSAirport) May 12, 2022
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office tweeted mandatory evacuations for those living south of Milton E Proby Parkway, east of Hancock Express Way, north of Bradley Rd/Alturas Dr, and west of Peak Innovation Parkway. They also issued a mandatory evacuation order for the area east of Powers and west of Peak Innovation Way, and northeast of the S-curve on Powers to Milton Proby Blvd.
MANDATORY EVACUATION: South of Milton E Proby Parkway, East of Hancock Express Way, North of Bradley Rd/Alturas Dr, and West of Peak Innovation Parkway is under a Mandatory Evacuation Notice due to a fire in the area of 5000 Alturas Dr. Call 9-1-1 only if you are in danger. https://t.co/8ybfyDKy4g
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) May 12, 2022
Evacuation center for those impacted by the #MiltonEProbyfire is now open at Calvary Chapel Eastside at 5070 Edison Av, Colorado Springs, CO 80915. pic.twitter.com/NOaR3Ykck1
— cowyredcross (@COWYRedCross) May 13, 2022
Firefighters in Colorado Springs also evacuated students from two schools because of another grass fire earlier in the day.
People evacuated 500 homes in the Stetson Hills neighborhood. That fire burned about 25 acres. Another fire burned eight mobile homes in the Skylark neighborhood. That evacuation order for the mobile home park will remain in effect at least overnight.
The evacuation center at Grace Baptist Church, which had been opened in response to the Skylark Mobile Home Park, is closing for the night. Arrangements have been made for community members who were receiving services. https://t.co/vWKUgRd8V9
— City of Colorado Springs (@CityofCOS) May 13, 2022