A fire that sparked up on the Springs’ west side caused a scare Thursday morning before firefighters got the upper hand.
A resident of the Oasis Apartment Homes west of Fillmore and Centennial spotted flames just before 6:30 and called 911.
That fire blew up, and shifting winds pushed the fire towards homes south of Holmes Middle School. Forty-five Colorado Springs firefighters, with assistance from several outside agencies including the El Paso County Wildland team, Cimarron Hills Fire Department and Springs Utilities were able to knock the fire down in under an hour, though the fire is not being declared completely out.
The fire scorched 6 acres.
Firefighters say they are monitoring wind changes, which could cause the fire to flare back up. Wind shifts have already been the story of the day, changing directions several times during the most active stage of the firefight. The wind shifting south is what put an area near Holmes Middle School in danger. There are expected to be strong winds accompanying an incoming cold front.
Because of concerns about the wind, earlier no firefighters were being released from the scene. As of noon, just a couple of brush trucks are left at the scene.
Homes on Mesa Crest Grove were put on pre-evacuation, but that order has been lifted. Earlier, police told 11 News the homes were evacuated, but officials have since corrected the earlier information given. Authorities knocked on doors in the area and told people to be ready to go if necessary.
A homeless camp started the fire, firefighters have confirmed with local news station.