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An anonymous donor has offered a $100,000 reward for the identification and arrest of the person or persons responsible for starting the Waldo Canyon fire.

Colorado Springs Police have dete… Click to Read More and see additional updates

An anonymous donor has offered a $100,000 reward for the identification and arrest of the person or persons responsible for starting the Waldo Canyon fire.

Colorado Springs Police have determined the fire was human caused, but have not said if it was accidentally or intentionally set.

Crimestoppers will oversee the money. Anyone with information about the origin of the fire is asked to call 385-2222. This is the only number to call if you want to receive any part of the reward. Those who call will be required to leave their name and phone number.

This reward is separate from a $50,000 offer related to those who burglarized homes and vehicles of evacuees.

The Waldo Canyon Burned Area Emergency Response implementation team continues to clean up hazards west of Colorado Springs.

Two burned wooden staircases on the Waldo Canyon Trail have been identified as dangerous. The trail has been re-routed with the help of the Mile High Youth Corps.

Trees deemed to be a hazard have been removed from Meadow Ridge Campground, Thunder Ridge Campground, Promontory Picnic Area, and Aspen Grove Interpretive Trail. The Rampart Trail and Waldo Canyon Trail were also identified for the removal of hazard trees. Erosion control structures were installed by the Mile High Youth Corps and the Juniper Valley Inmate fire crew along both trails.

The Aspen Grove Interpretive Trail was identified as an area of concern by the BAER assessment team and recommended the removal of burned signs, benches, timber retaining walls, bridges, and a boardwalk. The removal of the burned debris was completed by the local Pikes Peak Ranger District fire crew and the Mile High Youth Corps, who also implemented site restoration work.

Fifty "Flash Flood" warning signs have been installed at 15 recreation site locations by BAER trail specialists within the Waldo Canyon Fire perimeter. The potential for flash floods and the threat to public safety due to those flash floods will continue until the vegetation recovers and the post-fire watershed response resembles a pre-fire response.

Areas in the national forest that were burned remain closed to the public and citations will be issued.

The U.S. Forest Service confirmed this afternoon an illegal marijuana growing operation was found in the Waldo Canyon burn area while the fire was still raging.

Forest Service spokesman Steve Segin told News 5 the illegal crop was spotted by a helicopter pilot who was involved in the fire fighting efforts. Upon investigation they found a 22-acre grow site on forest service land. They found about 7,500 marijuana plants, many of them burned by the fire.

Value of the whole crop was estimated conservatively at $15-million.

Segin said the site was about a mile off of Rampart Range Road in the Sand Gulch area. He said it had been in operation for more than one season.

The plants were pulled up and transported to another location and then burned.

No arrests were made.

Since 2009, 16 illegal marijuana growing operations have been shut down on public land in Colorado. The pot fields found near San Isabel last week in Pueblo County were on private property.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has now included Teller County as part of the disaster area for the Waldo Canyon fire.

Federal Coordinating Officer Gary Stanley of FEMA said, "At the request of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, FEMA has now made Teller County eligible for reimbursement for disaster related emergency protective measures related to the Waldo Canyon fire."

President Obama declared the Waldo Canyon fire in El Paso County and the High Park fire in Larimer County a major disaster June 28. At that time, reimbursement for eligible, disaster related emergency protective measures and disaster unemployment assistance and crisis counseling were approved for those burn areas.

The State of Colorado's Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and FEMA is contacting Teller County government entities and certain non profits about procedures to qualify for this assistance.

The assistance is provided under FEMA's Public Assistance Program. This program can provide grants to local governments, state agencies and certain non profits for eligible, disaster related expenses.

Additional Public Assistance Program determinations are under consideration.

FEMA pays no less than 75 percent of the eligible costs. The non-federal share is made up of local resources. The state administers the program.

Colorado counties with a current and adopted local hazard mitigation plan are eligible for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Flooding following the Waldo Canon Fire has caused considerable damage to pipes that feed the Colorado Springs water supply.

A week ago a wall of water and debris swept down the mountains north of Colorado Springs.

The Stanley Canyon Tunnel, the primary delivery system of water from Rampart Reservoir to the Pine Valley and McCullough Treatment plants, was not impacted. The Pine Valley Pipeline, the secondary yet critical delivery system to these facilities, sustained heavy damage. Two creek crossings were destroyed, compromising infrastructure. Parts of the access road were also washed away. Some parts of the pipeline are now exposed and undermined.

Cost of repairs has not been determined, but it will reach more than $1 million. Utilities workers are making a rapid plan for repairs, because more flooding is expected each time there's a heavy rain in the area.

DENVER (AP) - Investigators in El Paso County say they are still trying to determine what sparked the most financially devastating wildfire in Colorado history, while a separate probe is under way after authorities say several fires were intentionally set in an adjacent county at about the same time.

The Denver Post reports investigators haven't released any details about what might have caused the Waldo Canyon Fire. The fire in Colorado Springs killed two people and destroyed nearly 350 homes in late June.

Meanwhile, Teller County Sheriff Mike Ensminger says he has no doubt the 25 to 35 fires that burned in his county the week before the Waldo Canyon Fire were intentionally set.

Ensminger says he doesn't think those fires and the Waldo Canyon Fire are connected, but he wouldn't elaborate.

As of this afternoon the Waldo Canyon Fire Victim Assistance Fund has reached $634,570.

This includes:

• $125,000 - Grant from El Pomar
• $ 85,087 - On-Site Concert Donations (World Arena, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Center Plate, and hundreds of individual donation from event attendees)
• $ 97,215 - Telephone donations (6-10 p.m. on the Fourth)
• $ 95,760 - On-line donations (6-10 p.m. on the Fourth)
• $229,508 - All other donations from individuals, foundations, small businesses, and corporations

The El Paso County Disaster Recovery Center will transition from face-to-face service, to telephone and internet to provide resources and information to El Paso County citizens impacted by the Waldo Canyon Fire. The office at 105 North Spruce Street has served more than 2,000 residents in the last two weeks. On Monday, July 16, information and referral services will move to Citizens Service Center at 1675 Garden of the Gods Road.

"We're transitioning from the old DHS building to the Citizens Service Center," said Deputy County Administrator Monnie Gore, who is Director of Operations for the Disaster Recovery Center. "We've seen a reduction in traffic volume at the DRC. That was always expected. The initial plan was to give residents a one-stop shop to provide them with easy access to all the service agencies they need during the fire. We always knew the number of people needing that assistance would diminish and fully staffing the DRC would no longer be needed. We've reached that point."

"We're still here to help," Gore said. "The phone bank will be up and running on Monday. We'll have all the service providers' information and be able to direct residents to their local offices for assistance."

The call center will remain open and people are encouraged to call (719) 444-8300 with questions. County volunteers and staff are manning the phones to provide information on the programs and services offered by more than 30 nonprofits, government agencies, and private businesses who have partnered with the county in the operation of the Disaster Recovery Center. New hours for the DRC are 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Links to updated information are also available at the Disaster Recovery Center's website by clicking here.

Experts working in the Waldo Canyon burn area say some trees that appear lost are showing signs of life. The danger still lies in beetles preying in stressed trees.

The Will Call window at the Norris-Penrose Events Center is now open for Waldo Canyon Fire evacuees to take advantage of free tickets to tonight's rodeo. 100 tickets are being distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The rodeo starts at 7:15 p.m.

Checks for 66,000 dollars each were handed out to the Red Cross and Care and Share Thursday, the profits from selling wildfire tee shirts on a website.

Round two profits will benefit the Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012 and immediate local wildfire relief, according to the website wildfiretees.com.

Orders are still being taken.

The El Paso-Teller County E9-1-1 Authority has set up a designated phone line to assist people who do not have access to the internet connection to register their information for the Emergency Notification System.

If you do not have access to a computer, or are experiencing a problem with the registration process, please call 719-785-1971 and leave your information on the voicemail. A member of the El Paso-Teller County E9-1-1 Staff will retrieve and enter the information during regular business hours and enter it into the Emergency Notification System Database.

If you have access to a computer with an internet connection please register your information by clicking here.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has announced availability of Disaster Unemployment Assistance to help workers who lost their jobs, and self-employed individuals who are unable to work, recover from the effects of the High Park and Waldo Canyon wildfires.

Affected individuals who live or work in El Paso and Larimer Counties must submit applications for by August 8, 2012. Claims filed after the deadline will be considered untimely and benefits denied, unless the individual provides good cause for filing late. The first possible week of compensation is the week beginning June 10, 2012, and ending June 16, 2012. Benefit payments may continue through December 29, 2012, as long as the unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to people who:

· Do not qualify for regular state unemployment benefits.

· Worked or were self-employed or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment, but were unable to do so because of the disaster.

· Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.

· Cannot reach their place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.

· Have been prevented from work or self-employment because of an injury as a direct result of the disaster.

· Establish that work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.

· Have become the major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household.

To file a claim, applicants may visit a local Disaster Recovery Center, the Pikes Peak or Larimer County Workforce Centers, or call the Wildfire Unemployment Resource phone line at 1-888-843-8382 (outside Denver-metro area) or 303-318-9038 (Denver-metro area). The Wildfire Unemployment Resource phone line requires applicants to leave a message with their name, social security number, callback number, and best time(s) to return their call.

The Waldo Canyon DRC is located at 105 North Spruce Street Colorado Springs, CO 80905
The Pikes Peak Workforce Center is located at 1675 Garden of the Gods Road in Colorado Springs (719-667-3700)
The High Park Fire DRC is located at Johnson Hall, south entrance, 950 E. Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523, room #222
The Larimer County Workforce Center is at 200 West Oak Street, Suite 5000, in Fort Collins (970-498-6600)

To receive benefits, you must provide documentation to support that you were working, were self-employed, or had prospective employment at the time of the disaster. Self-employed individuals must provide federal tax forms (including all schedules) for the 2011 tax year. The documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA claim is filed.

Tuesday night a community meeting is being held to talk about potential flooding danger following the Waldo Canyon Fire. The meeting is at 7 pm at Centennial Hall (200 S. Cascade Ave.) in Colorado Springs.

County and city officials along with FEMA and the Regional Floodplain Administrator will be going through some problems that homeowners should watch for as water flow patterns change following damage from the fire and incoming rain.

Here are some suggestions the officials will be discussing:

-Flood insurance -- Many homeowners' policies don't cover it, so you need to talk about options for getting a separate plan. They have some options they'll be discussing at the meeting.

-Hiring a specialist to come and inspect risks at your home.

-Checking for clogging on inlets or your property or nearby public drains. If you see clogging on public drains call the City Street Division (719-385-5934) or the County Public Services Department (719-520-6891)

The parking garage at 255 Sahwatch St. (west and just behind Centennial Hall) will be open and free for people attending the meeting from 6:30 pm until 11:00 pm.

The total amount raised for Waldo Canyon Fire victims as of Thursday afternoon was $421,865.

That amount was collected by Pikes Peak United Way. That includes the $203,400 from the phones and online giving, the $125,000 grant from El Pomar, and other monies that have come in from individuals, companies and foundations this past week.

It does not include the donations received on-site at the World Arena Concert last night.

If you wish to donate, click here.

The evacuation of an additional 126 homes in the Mountain Shadows area will be lifted at 5 p.m. Thursday.

All Mountain Shadows residents who reside on the following streets may return home today, July 5, 2012 at 5:00 PM.

· Alabaster Way

· Aubrey Way

· Brograns Bluff Dr (west of Rossmere St)

· Flying W Ranch Rd

· Lanagan St

· Linger Way

· Rossmere St

· Sandray Ct

· Sceptor Way

· Talleson Ct

· Trevor Ln

· Wilson Rd (west of Rossmere St)

The area still has considerable risk, with certain areas considered unsafe. Colorado Springs Utilities continues to work to test and repair the gas lines in the remaining evacuated areas. Once considered safe, the mandatory evacuation orders will be lifted for the remaining homes.

Residents are advised to prepare for flash flooding in burn areas by staying alert to flash flood watches and warnings and avoiding low-lying areas and places that are known to flood. Residents should not cross streaming water.

Additional reminders:

- For fire-related information and services, call the Disaster Recovery Center at 444-8300 (M-F, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.) or Pikes Peak United Way 2-1-1 Information & Referral to access services for non-emergency needs at (719) 955-0742 (24 hours a day, 7 days week).

- The El Paso County Disaster Recovery Center is providing access to services such as health, regional building, grief counseling, insurance, etc. from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at 105 N. Spruce Street.

The couple killed during the Waldo Canyon Fire has been identified.

The El Paso County Coroner has identified the victims as William and Barbara Everett (ages 74 and 73 respectively). The two were found inside a burned home on 2910 Rossmere Street in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood.

The Colorado Springs Police Department says there are many agencies collaborating on the various parts of this active investigation. A task force has been formed which includes experts in the field of wildland fire investigations.

The Task Force is comprised of: Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado Springs Fire Department, El Paso County Sheriff's Office, US Forest Service, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office, according the CSFD.

We're told no further details will be released until the investigation is complete.

The Colorado Springs Police Department is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of person or persons responsible for breaking into homes and vehicles of fire evacuees.

The reward was offered anonomously and is not connected with information as it relates to the Waldo Canyon Fire.

The number to call to report information is 719-385-2222.

If police receive several solid tips - the money will be split accordingly based on the information provided in the tip.

El Pomar's donation of over $100,000 is anchoring an additional $300,000 for fire victims. United Way, along with the city, county and other non-profits will spearhead relief and rebuilding burned out areas. This amount is growing and does not include proceeds from last night's relief concert.

You can still donate. Click here

Ute Pass businesses are feeling squeezed after an unplanned week off during the peak tourist season. They're back open, but business is now just a fraction of what it normally is this time of year.

The Pantry Restaurant in Green Mountain Falls is just one of many suffering the post-fire blues. They ask simply, please come through and buy a meal.

Mayor Steve Bach recently asked everyone in Southern Colorado to pick a local business and spend some money.

The physical place where the Waldo Canyon Fire first started nearly two weeks ago has been located. Lieutenant Jeff Kramer, a public information officer with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, said at a media briefing Thursday the location would not be disclosed at this time in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.

It represents a major step in discovering the cause of the wildfire that claimed two lives, destroyed around 350 homes and scorched more than 18,000 acres since June 23.

Incident Commander Rich Harvey explained that the remaining 10 percent of the fire that is not yet contained is burning in "islands" of rugged terrain on the backside of Blodgett Peak that are extremely difficult for fire fighters to reach on foot.

However, infrared mapping of the areas indicates that the fire is cooling and Harvey said helicopters will continue to drop water buckets to further douse the flames. In the meantime a Burn Area Emergency Recovery (BAER) is assembling in Colorado Springs to begin flood mitigation work in the burn area to reduce the potential for mud flows and flash flooding.

The Waldo Canyon Fire could reach full containment by tomorrow. It is currently at 90 percent containment.

Residents in burned out areas will be allowed back in today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. along with representatives of their insurance companies.

Disaster Recovery Center is open again today at 105 N. Spruce, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The point of origin for the fire has been found. Cause of fire has not been released, but investigators are focusing on that spot to figure out what happened.

Five hundred homes still have no natural gas, but that number could drop by half by the end of the day today.

Burn Area Team is here to start working on a plan to reforest and preserve burned out area.

Area around Blodgett Peak is remaining hot spot area and is last area of focus. Airplanes and helicopters are being used to put out those remaining fires. Fire will be considered extinguished when there has been no smoke seen and nothing showing on infrared cameras for 24 hours.

Rain yesterday helped firefighting efforts.

Outpouring of support for firefighters has been unprecedented.

Fire Information Number 719 328-4333.

City Information Number (including utilities questions) 719 955-0742.

This is the last scheduled fire briefing for the Waldo Canyon Fire.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Firefighters expect to fully contain the Waldo Canyon wildfire by Friday.

So far, containment lines have been built around 90 percent of the Colorado Springs fire that destroyed nearly 350 homes. Crews also got some help early Thursday from some rain that fell on the 28-square-mile blaze.

Authorities are still investigating how it started.

Rain also fell on a 25,000-acre blaze that's been burning for nearly two months near Pagosa Springs. More thunderstorms are expected at the Little Sand fire, which is 40 percent contained, through the weekend.

A 10,000-acre fire near Mancos is 90 percent contained.

The recent Waldo Canyon Fire on the Pike National Forest has changed the watersheds within the burned area and increased the potential for flooding and mudflows that could impact several communities adjacent to and downstream from the Forest.

Although mudflows can be a frequent occurrence after a wildfire, the effects of the Waldo Canyon Fire on the watersheds need to be determined.

The Forest Supervisor for the Pike & San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands, assembled a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team to assess the condition of the watersheds that were burned in the Waldo Canyon Fire.

One of the most effective BAER treatment is interagency coordination with local cooperators who assist affected landowners prepare for rain events.

Multiple Agencies are working together with the BAER team looking at the full scope and scale of the situation to reduce the potential threats to life and property; however, residents need to take steps to protect themselves and their property from a flood event:

-Monitor local weather reports and public safety bulletins, along with local road closures, emergency notifications, and media alerts.

-Follow local county advisories and act accordingly -- for your safety.

-Prepare for the monsoon rainstorms by being prepared to evacuate if county officials determine that flash floods and mudflows are expected which could pose an increased threat to life and property.

-Know and be alert to environmental signs of dangerous weather conditions and be prepared to take action that can save lives.

-Understand that all canyons along the Front Range and those associated within the burned area can produce flash floods.

-And, if you find yourself in a flash flood, climb to safety (seek higher ground).

The gentle rain showers that washed over Colorado Springs Wednesday also helped to cool the northern edge of the Waldo Canyon Fire. However, too much rain can quickly create another natural disaster: flooding.

As part of a daily media update Wednesday, Incident Management Team public information officer Richard Hadley explained the burning of vegetation can create lead to increased soil erosion. On top of that, the intense heat of a wildfire can alter the soil itself.

"If it burns through an area and is fairly hot, like portions of this fire, it can change the soil chemistry which actually makes it water repellant," Hadley explained. "A watershed can end up actually producing a lot more water after a fire than it did prior to the fire."

Homeowners evacuated by the Waldo Canyon Fire are encouraged to paunches flood insurance, especially those with property in low lying areas.

"We suggest that people go to the disaster recovery center that's been set up by El Paso County," Hadley said. "They can talk to FEMA and insurance representatives there."

The Disaster Recovery Center is located at the former El Paso County Department of Human Services building at 105 North Spruce Street. It's open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily except for July 4, 2010.

The Waldo Canyon Fire remains at 80 percent containment and is expected to be fully contain in the coming days.

On July 4th at 5:00 PM, Colorado Springs Utilities in coordination with the Colorado Springs Office of Emergency Management and the Colorado Spring Police Department will lift mandatory evacuations for 256 home that are currently in the mandatory evacuation area.

All Mountain Shadows residents who reside on the following streets may return home today, July 4, 2012 at 5:00 PM:.

· Ashton Park Place

· Chambrey Court

· Charing Curt

· Chase Point Circle

· Darien Way

· Green Valley Heights

· Huffman Court

· Kirby Court

· Regal View Court

· Regal View Road

· Rossmere Street between Ashton Park Place and Courtney Drive (2305-2395)

· Twin Harbor Heights

· Vanreen Drive

· Vantage Ridge Court

· Vantage Vista Drive

· Via Verona View

· Wilson Road between Champagne Drive and Flying W Ranch Road

· Wolf Ranch Road

The area still has considerable risk, with certain areas considered unsafe. Residents are advised to prepare for flash flooding in burn areas by staying alert to flash flood watches and warnings and avoiding low-lying areas and places that are known to flood. Residents should not cross streaming water.

Residents of the remaining evacuated areas will have access to the area on Thursday, July 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the primary purpose of allowing insurance representatives to assess property. It is important that the area is cleared by 4 p.m. to allow Colorado Springs Utilities crews to resume working on the gas system. Residents and insurance personnel should check in with identification at the Verizon building (old MCI facility) at 2424 Garden of the Gods Road.

The El Paso County Public Health Department has released a considerable amount of information on clean up of ash and other fire-damaged debris.

The ash deposited by forest fires is relatively nontoxic and similar to ash that might be found in your fireplace. However, any ash may contain unknown substances, including chemicals. In particular, ash and debris from burned structures may contain more toxic substances than forest fire ash, because of the many synthetic and other materials present in homes and buildings. For example, car batteries or mercury light bulbs may have been present in the buildings. In addition, older buildings have a greater potential of containing asbestos and lead.

Care should thus be taken when handling any materials from buildings that are either partially damaged by the fire (i.e., salvageable building materials remaining) or completely destroyed by the fire (i.e., only ash and debris remain). Protective clothing and equipment should be worn to avoid skin contact and inhalation of ash and other disturbed material.

All debris and ash should be handled in a manner that will minimize potential exposure to any unknown hazardous materials that could potentially be present in the debris. Soil under the area where the ash/debris was deposited should be scraped to ensure that all ash and building debris has been
removed from the site.

Materials must be thoroughly wetted to minimize dust, then packaged inside a 6-mil plastic sheeting liner and placed in an end-dump roll-off with the top of the roll-off sealed with the plastic sheeting to secure the contents during transport once the roll-off is loaded. The roll-off can be taken to one of the landfills listed below. Please call the landfill contact listed below before loads are transported to alert the landfill that the material is coming,
confirm waste acceptance, and initiate a waste profile.

If you wish to bring the materials to a different landfill, please contact the landfill to ensure that they can accept the material. The landfill should be informed that the material has come from the fire area. Contractors should consult with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at (303) 844-5285 to determine required training and personal protective equipment that will be required for those handling this material.

A state-issued demolition permit is not required to remove the ash and debris from buildings that have been partially or completely destroyed. However, the ash and debris must be thoroughly wetted prior to handling to minimize dust.

Asbestos

If asbestos-containing material is known to be present in ash or debris in amounts greater than the trigger levels, they must be removed in accordance with Colorado Regulation No. 8, Part B. Trigger levels for single-family residential dwellings are 50 linear feet on pipes, 32 square feet on other surfaces or the volume equivalent of a 55 gallon drum. If this is not known, the material may handled and disposed of using the procedures outlined above.

The following landfill will accept Waldo Canyon Wildfire ash, soils, and debris and waste materials known to contain friable asbestos. Additional landfills may be added to this list or may be contacted directly.

1. WASTE MANAGEMENT COLORADO SPRINGS LANDFILL
1010 Blaney Road,
Colorado Springs, CO
683-2600

The landfill listed above and the following landfills are accepting Waldo Canyon Wildfire ash, soils, and debris that do not contain friable asbestos. Additional landfills may be added to this list or may be contacted directly, as noted above.

1. WASTE CONNECTIONS LANDFILL
10000 Squirrel Creek Road
Fountain, CO
382-9661

2. WASTE MANAGEMENT MIDWAY LANDFILL
8925 Rancho Colorado Blvd.
Fountain, CO (I-25 and exit 119) (almost to Pueblo County Line but still in El Paso County)
382-8383

More information, click here

Metal debris must be washed clean of ash/debris prior to recycling. Concrete debris (foundations) must be disposed of at an approved landfill. If you wish to recycle this material, it must be inspected by a certified asbestos building inspector and found to be free of asbestos-containing materials prior to recycling.

Please contact Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, 2880 International Circle, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910, Telephone: (719) 327-2880 to determine local permit requirements.

If you need additional information, please contact Charles Johnson at the Department's Solid Waste Unit at 303-692-3348 or Charles.Johnson@state.co.us , or the Asbestos Unit at 303-692-3100 or click here.

Last minute preparations are underway for Wednesday's benefit concert A Community Rises to benefit victims of the Waldo Canyon Fire. Members of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic as well as other guest performers were rehearsing at the Colorado Springs World Arena Tuesday evening.

News 5 is proud to partner with the Colorado Springs Independent, Focus on the Family and the World Arena to present the free fundraiser featuring performances by the Philharmonic, Isaac Slade from the ban The Fray, Michael Martin Murphy, the Flying W Wranglers and Flash Cadillac.

Philharmonic president and CEO Nathan Newbrough says it's a giant undertaking given how quickly everything has come together.

"Normally, our concerts we plan 18 months in advance," Newbrough said. "To do something, really, it took 3 days, to do something from idea to launch for this concert and so to make that happen it takes partners."

Newbrough says many musicians were evacuated or displaced by the fire and nearly all are donating their time. News 5 anchor Lisa Lyden will serve as emcee and the concert will be simulcast over the air and here at KOAA.com beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Street by street though the Mountain Shadows neighborhood last Tuesday Colorado Springs Fire Department audio video specialist Steve Schopper recorded the unimaginable.

"There were certain streets that I was uncomfortable going through, you're seeing smoke and fire going across the street, I'm not exactly sure where it turns to the left or turns to the fire or what," Schopper said.

Trained as both firefighter and videographer, Schopper and recent fire academy graduate Clint Mestas soon found themselves called into duty with whatever they could get their hands on. They were recording efforts to keep a burning house from spreading when hot embers caught a nearby roof on fire.

Mestas searched the property and found a garden hose to douse the spot fire.

"Right there underneath on the home, there was the spigot there was the hose able to put it out very quickly," Mestas said.

Schopper says what struck him most was showing his video later to other firefighters. So many of them were focused on just their one part of the fire, they had no idea how big it really was.

The video will become a valuable document in city history. Beyond that, it will serve as a teaching tool for future generations of firefighters.

"We'll use this footage over and over again, and we don't sit on this footage, we share this with every agency that was there and even those that weren't there to go: this is what we did well, this is what we could improve upon."

Mestas and and the rest of his class actually graduated on Friday. An official ceremony has not yet been scheduled.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are in Colorado Springs to view the Waldo Canyon fire and speak with incident commanders.

The cabinet members announced a transition from the acute crisis phase of the disaster to recovery. Secretary Napolitano announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in place to provide a variety of federal services to the victims of the fire. Secretary Vilsack also announced that he has assigned a secretarial disaster declaration to enable federal emergency loans to be awarded to fire victims.

The Waldo Canyon Fire is now 70 percent contained and incident commander Rich Harvey announced that some of the firefighters will begin leaving the area to work more urgent fires.

North Shore Animal League America and National Mill Dog Rescue continue to offer services for pets displaced by the Waldo Canyon Fire.

A 45-foot self-contained Mobile Rescue Unit is stationed at the El Paso County Disaster Recovery Center at 105 North Spruce St, Colorado Springs.

Available services for Tuesday, July 3:

The Mobile Rescue Unit will be available for:

• Pet Daycare from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily
• Overnight pet services
• Pet-Sitting while fire evacuees are meeting with representatives in the El Paso Disaster Recover Center
• Supplies are also being distributed, including cat and dog food, cat litter and other pet supplies
• NSALA and NMDR Rescue Experts will provide Pet Safety Tips as evacuees return to their homes to ensure the safety of their pets

Purina ONE and the Kong Company who have pledged 1,000 Kong Toys to be distributed to the Waldo Canyon fire evacuees and their pets. Financial contributions also came from The Cesar Millan Foundation's Daddy's Emergency Animal Rescue Fund in support of the Animal League's emergency response efforts.

Each evening at 8 p.m. hundreds gather around 31st and Fontanero to show thanks to exhausted firefighters returning from their shift on the fire lines of the Waldo Canyon Fire.

They come with hand-made signs, cheering wildly. Parents bring their young kids to teach them lessons of sacrifice and appreciation.

17,920 acres, with 70 percent containment.

Residents of approximately 500 homes located south of Champagne Dr. and north of 30th St. will be able to safely return home as of 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3. Homes will have water and electricity, while individual gas service will take additional time to restore. For utilities questions, please click here. Please read any placard on your home which will include individualized directions for your home. These homes are located on:

• Champagne Dr.
• Flying W Ranch Rd. south of Champagne Dr.
• Hearthstone Ln.
• Alderstone Way
• Stoneridge Dr.
  
• Capra Way
  
• Ramsgate Ter.
  
• Fieldstone Rd.
  
• Braeburn Way
  
• Cameo Way
  
• Denby Way
  
• Ellery Ln.
  
• Alpine Meadows Ln.
  
• Granby Cir.
  
• Also included are Capra Way and portions of Lions Gate Lane

Damage to gas lines and utility boxes is extensive.

No private fireworks allowed due to high fire danger.

2,100 residents are still out of their homes.

A joint task force will consider flood threat downstream of the burn area.

Containment along the border with Colorado Springs is 100 percent. Fire fighting efforts are focused to the north in rugged mountain terrain.

Local officials are giving their morning update on the Waldo Canyon Fire. Colorado Springs Fire Chief Rich Brown says boundaries around Colorado Springs are 100 percent contained, not the whole fire. More residents should be released to their homes today according to Steve Cox with the city of Colorado Springs. For more, click here.

Colorado Springs Fire has released unbelievable video, shot by Steve Schopper. He was shooting Tuesday night, when the Waldo Canyon Fire jumped into Colorado Springs neighborhoods.

Click here to watch it.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Colorado Springs police have identified a man arrested on suspicion of impersonating a firefighter at the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history.

Police say 53-year-old Kip Andy Petersen was wearing firefighting clothing when police officers approached him within an evacuation area Wednesday. Police say Petersen falsely told officers he was a firefighter.

A phone number listed for Petersen and his family rang unanswered Monday.

Petersen is the second person accused of impersonating a firefighter at a major Colorado fire this year. Michael Maher is accused of impersonating a firefighter at the High Park fire in northern Colorado in June and the Lower North Fork fire west of Denver in March.

Old Stage Road and Gold Camp Road will be closed to help firefighters keep the threat of fires down.

Sheriff Terry Maketa says the 2100 block of Old Stage Road will be blocked off at 10 a.m. This closure will deny access to Gold Camp Road.

Also, the Teller County Sheriff's Office will close Gold Camp Road at the Lazy S Ranch Toad.

There is no date on when the road will open again.

If you live in that area, you will be granted access with proof of residency.

Thousands of people have been affected by the Waldo Canyon Fire burning near Colorado Springs. The hardest hit area seems to be the Mountain Shadows neighborhood with dozens of homes that have burned to the ground; many residents still can't return and remain under evacuation orders.

Monday fire crews took News 5 behind the evacuation lines for a closer look of the destruction. The damage was as random as the direction fire chooses burns; some homes looked untouched by the fire, others just around the corner or even right next door were leveled.

One home, left standing in between two that were completely destroyed, thanked firefighters with a large banner hung on their garage door.

For many of the destroyed homes it may be tough to find any belongings left behind when they're able to return and look. Many items were vaguely recognizable; everything from cars in the drive way that were completely destroyed to items like lunch boxes burnt to a crisp, basketball goals with melted backboards, and trampolines with nothing left but the springs hanging. For the destroyed homes it was mostly ash remaining.

It was just a quick trip in and out of the Mountain Shadows neighborhood for News 5. Many families are still evacuated and waiting to get back in. For many there are two questions; for the ones with homes still standing they want to know when they'll get to return, and if that's not soon they want to know when they'll be able to make another quick trip in to visit their property. News 5 asked city officials who say the executive team was discussing that Monday afternoon and working on plans; we're waiting to hear more, when we do we'll post it on KOAA.com.

We've lost 346 homes to the Waldo Canyon fire, but surrounding homes may have intense smoke, fire or water damage as fire crews worked to save structures.

That intense smoke is the last thing you want to smell everyday when you come home.

We found one one local company that expects lots of business in the coming weeks.

"It could be a board up of broken windows, doors, roof," said Jack Dennison, Co-owner, along with his wife Jackie, of Colorado ResCon.

Damage from the Waldo Canyon Fire means repairs.

"They're facing an absolutely daunting task," said Dennison.

That smell is an unwelcome memory for homeowners, and it can also be dangerous.

"Soot is a carbon-based product," said Dennison. "It's carcinogenic. It's corrosive. It's acid-based, and so there are many things to go into the cleaning of the interior of the structure."

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may not be able to clean it yourself.

"Contents need to be cared for, they need to be inventoried, boxed, transported back to a fire center much like the one we're standing in now," said Dennison.

In a center like ResCon it starts with hand cleaning, often using environmentally-friendly cleaners, then they move on to the next step..

"Some of those items are bulk cleaned, as you can see with the washer and dryer in the back," said Dennison. "We've got a commercial-sized dish washer for a lot of the kitchen items. From there it may go into a ultrasonic bath."

That bath is a super cleaner, but furniture goes into an ozone chamber to give it the smell of spring rainstorm.

They can also put an ozone generator on each floor of your home.

The oxygen in the ozone transforms the smoke molecules into something that no longer smells.

"The ultrasonic and the ozone are probably our two best friends in this process because they get to places and provide a level of cleaning that you just can't do by hand," said Dennison.

The last step of the process is to wrap items, box them, and store them until the homeowners are ready to pick them up.

"We have color coding for each of the families," said Dennison. "We can store several different fire storm households here."

If a family says they need a specific item, they will know exactly which box it's in.

We're told a lot of insurance companies help in this process, so be sure to check your coverage.

You may be surprised at the help you can receive.

Those who do the cleaning say it's important for the homeowners to focus on their emotions right now and leave the rest to restoration companies.

More than 1,000 Soldiers from Fort Carson are receiving introductory wildland fire fighting training from the National Interagency Fire Center pre-mobilization team in preparation for possible support later this summer.

Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division's "Raider Brigade" and another brigade task force from 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "Iron Brigade" are working to get "Red Card" certified, enabling them to work in wildland fire areas.

If fire conditions warrant and the NIFC requests assistance through the Department of Defense, mobilized units will receive additional training and personal protective equipment, and deploy to an active fire anywhere in the United States.

This introductory training will allow quicker response times when fire activity becomes extreme if and when Fort Carson and 4th Inf. Div. is called into action.

The pre-evacuation notice has been lifted for Woodland Park effective immediately, according to Teller County officials.

Residents are reminded to stay on a heightened state of alert to the probability of structure and grass fires.

What's left of one home's washer, dryer, and trampoline in Mountain Shadows subdivision.

Only the rim and pole are left from this basketball hoop.

A house is burned all the way to the basement.

Silver Key Senior Services has opened up its Silver & Such thrift store to anyone displaced by the Waldo Canyon Fire with an offer of free clothes and durable medical goods (wheel chairs, walkers, canes) through the Health Equipment Program.

Silver Key has partnered with Care and Share and has opened their emergency food pantry to anyone, regardless of age, who has been evacuated from their home because of the fire.

Our regular operations continue for seniors aged 60 and over; Care Management, Nutrition and Transportation are all operating at normal capacity at our office at 2250 Bott Avenue. If you know of a senior needing assistance for any reason, please contact Silver Key.

The Verizon Foundation today awarded a second $10,000 grant to the American Red Cross to support the agency's ongoing relief efforts for Colorado residents and others affected by the Waldo Canyon and other fires. The company previously awarded an initial $10,000 grant to the agency to support its relief efforts related to the High Park fire.

Wireless customers can use their mobile phones to make $10 donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by texting REDCROSS from their mobile phone and typing in 90999.

City councilman Val Snider points out damage in his neighborhood from the Waldo Canyon Fire to News 5's Matt Stafford.

This home on Majestic Drive in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood burned to the ground; so did their neighbors. Across the street homes looked untouched.

A truck parked in what used to be a garage is destroyed after the Waldo Canyon Fire. News 5's Matt Stafford is on the bus tour of Waldo Canyon Fire damage.

Several residents in the Mountain Shadows area are being allowed to return home, but remain under pre-evacuation status.

Residents of all homes on Eileen Ct., Centauri Rd., Boardwalk Dr., and Corporate Plaza Dr. may return today starting at noon. Residents of addresses 4510 through 4795 on Granby Cir. may also return home.

These homes are all located north of 30th St. Full utilities, including gas, have been restored to all of these homes. Only these residents may return at this time. Like all previously opened areas, this area remains on pre-evacuation status.

Announcements of additional neighborhood openings are anticipated at tomorrow morning's 8:00 a.m. briefing.

The City of Colorado Springs has put together a map that shows which houses were destroyed by in the Waldo Canyon Fire, which were untouched and which ones were damaged.

Many times several houses in a row were destroyed, one was left untouched and then the fire continued on its way, consuming more houses.

Click here to see the map

The final four postal locations affected by the wildfire have now reopened, including two Post Offices in Woodland Park, Green Mountain Falls, and Cascade. Deliveries will be made wherever possible.

Customers whose homes have been impacted by the fire can file a change of address
Electronic change of addresses can be filed online at http://www.usps.com or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS. (1-800-275-8777). Change of Address forms are also available at area Post Offices.
Postal officials are advising evacuees to file a change of address even if they are going to be at their current temporary location for a brief time. They will be able to file additional changes as they move to longer term locations.

Postal customers with further questions about their specific address, are encouraged to call the following numbers for assistance: Rockrimmon Station - 719-266-8216, Woodland Park Post Office - 719-687-5187, and Cascade Post Office -- 719-473-6513.

The Colorado Division of Insurance has released the following tips for insurance claims amid the Waldo Canyon Fire.

What to do when your property -- auto, home or other insured building -- is damaged by wildfires, severe weather and other disasters

•Call your insurance company or agent as soon as possible.

•Remember that others in your community will also be contacting their insurance companies. Be patient, but persistent: you may get a busy signal at first, as many claimants are trying to get help all at the same time.

•To help the claim process move smoothly, have your policy number ready, if you have it available. Ask your insurance agent what information is needed to file a claim.

•Take photographs and video of the damage, before everything is cleaned up or repaired.

•If you can do so safely, make the repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your property by covering broken windows, leaking roofs and damaged walls. Do not have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs, unless your insurance company directs you to do so. If going back into the area could be dangerous, don't do it.

•Save all receipts, including those from the temporary repairs covered by your insurance policy. Plastic tarps or sheeting used to protect broken windows and damaged buildings from additional exposure to elements are usually covered by your homeowners policy.

•If your home is damaged to the extent that you cannot live there, you may have coverage for additional living expenses while repairs are being made. This is true for most standard homeowners policies.

•If you cannot stay in your home, save all receipts, including hotel stays, reasonable meals and any necessities that you must buy. Not everything may be covered, but without receipts, you may be out of luck.

•You may be contacted by a public adjuster to help you work through your insurance claims. Be sure to read this fact sheet on public adjusters before you sign or agree to any contracts!

For more tips from the Colorado Division of Insurance, CLICK HERE.

Information from fire briefing at 8 a.m. Monday

Fire still as 17,827 acres, with no perimeter growth since yesteday. The fire is now 55 percent contained.

Thunderstorms are possible this afternoon, that may mean erratic winds, which could hamper firefighting efforts.

Waste disposal for burned areas 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Woodmen Roberts Elem. and Eagle View Middle School.

Cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Residents with destroyed or damaged homes will have their utility bills adjusted by Colorado Springs Utilities. Bills for destroyed homes will be set to zero. No charge for water in evacuated areas.

Disaster Recovery Center at 105 N. Spruce, open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily or 444-8300.

EDGEMONT, S.D. (AP) - Military officials have identified a plane that crashed while battling a South Dakota forest fire as a C-130 tanker based out of Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.

Military spokeswoman Capt. Ruth Castro tells The Associated Press that the tanker made at least two drops of fire retardant material on the White Draw fire on Sunday before crashing at about 6 p.m.

Castro did not have information on the crew. The Fall River County Sheriff's Office told the Rapid City Journal that a helicopter was able to land near the plane Sunday night and take three people to Custer to be transported by ambulance to a Rapid City hospital.

The fire started by a vehicle Friday afternoon near Edgemont has grown to 4,200 acres and is about 30 percent contained.

The following evacuation areas are being downgraded to pre-evacuation status effective at 8 p.m. tonight, and residents may return to their homes and businesses may resume operations.

· Oak Valley Ranch

· Pinon Valley

· Peregrine

· Grand Centennial Apartments

· All businesses along Centennial and 30th

Centennial Boulevard will also re-open at 8 p.m. Mountain Shadows (from south of Wolfe Ranch Rd. and west of Flying W Ranch Rd to 30th St.) remains under Mandatory Evacuation status.

Also, many of the area parks will be reopening today and tomorrow. Garden of the Gods visitor center and park reopens at 2 today. Pikes Peak Highway and the COG railway are also opening, along with Ute Valley Park.

North Cheyenne Canon Park remains closed.

Residents displaced by the Waldo Canyon Fire and having trouble finding a place for pets are being offered assistance from National Mill Dog Rescue, part of North Shore Animal League of America. They'll be stationed at the El Paso County Disaster Recovery Center located at the former county Department of Human Services building (105 N. Spruce St., Colorado Springs).

They'll have a Mobile Rescue Unit on-site and they say they're available to house displaced dogs and cats safely and securely. They'll be available as long as needed.

National Mill Dog Rescue will also have volunteer help and pet supplies available for evacuees.

For more information on sheltering your pet you can call 1-877-4 SAVE PET (7283738). For more on National Mill Dog Rescue, click here.

The county Disaster Recovery Center is open - with a wide variety of resources - daily from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. as long as needed. On the 4th of July they'll be open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Highway 24 is reopening Sunday at 9 a.m. for residents of Green Mountain Falls, Chipita Park, Cascade, and Crystola; then at 1 p.m. the El Paso County Sheriff's office says the highway will be open to all traffic.

Until the highway is open to all motorists at 1 p.m. residents will have to provide law enforcement with proof or residency in the area (IDs, etc.) to be allowed through road blocks. Lt. Jeff Kramer says this is an attempt to let the people who live in those communities along the highway have a chance to settle back in before other drivers begin passing through.

Lt. Kramer points out that while there is still fire concern in the area and fire crews working, there will be reduced speed and possible lane closures along Highway 24 between Manitou Springs and Woodland Park. There will also be no stopping on the shoulder allowed.

Incident Commander for the Waldo Canyon Fire Rich Harvey added to the Highway 24 information by saying those drivers and residents in the area will still see smoke, but may not see fire crews. Harvey says there are crews there working the fire in the area, but may not be seen because of how far in they are stationed. While crews have established a good fire line along the highway, according the Harvey, he adds that there is a problem area near Cave of the Winds that they are working on.

Lt. Kramer asks that if people don't need to be in that area, that they stay away for now to cut down on congestion.

Highway 24 will remain open unless new threats arise.

8 a.m press conference update

-The fire is 17,659 acres
-45% Containment
-1,534 Firefighters on scene
-Officials at 2 p.m. today will make the decision about Peregrine and Oak Valley Ranch residents returning home.
-Mandatory evacuations have been lifted for Cascade, Chipita Park, Crystola and Green Mountain Falls.
-People evacuated from Mountain Shadows will be allowed in the Neighborhood from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
-Starting at 9 a.m., Highway 24 will open for residents only until 1 p.m. It opens to the general public at 1 p.m.
-Barr Trail and the Incline are still closed.
-Manitou Springs is still on pre-evacuation.
-If you're looking for black hills energy, their emergency numbers is
1-800-649-8989.

Here's a list of ways you can help those affected by the Waldo Canyon Fire and other fires around the area.

-El Pomar is funding $100,000 to establish the Waldo Canyon Fire Victim Assistance Fund, which will be administered by Pikes Peak United Way. Pikes Peak United Way will accept donations from community members looking to support families and individuals. Click here to donate.

-Salvation Army canteens are on site and serving first responders and evacuees at the following sites in response to the Waldo Canyon Fire:

-YMCA Southeast Family Center, 2190 Jetwing Drive, meal services for shelter guests.
-Cheyenne Mountain High School shelter, 1200 Cresta Road - meal services for shelter guests

-The Boys & Girls Club of the Pikes Peak Region is offering free child care to evacuees of the Waldo Canyon Fire. Youth ages 5-18 are able to attend the E. A. Tutt Location located at 1455 S. Chelton Rd., Colorado Springs which is open 6 am to 6 pm. Verification of residency in the evacuated areas will be required such as a driver's license.

-Yellow Cab Company of Colorado Springs is offering free delivery services to those in the community that would like to donate goods to Care and Share but are unable to leave their homes or make it to one of the donation drop-off locations. Call (719)777-7777 to request a pickup and call takers will dispatch cabs to residences and businesses to pick-up the goods free of charge.

-Red Cross: Shelter Information 632-3563

-Care and Share: 2605 Preamble Point (1/4 mile east of Powers off of Constitution Avenue) Colorado Springs, CO 80915

-Arc of Pikes Peak is collecting clothing and household items to be distributed to individuals and families who have been displaced by the Colorado wild fires through Care and Share Food Bank. A special drop-off site has been set up specifically to collect items for fire victims at 12 N. Meade St. Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Times:
9am - 7pm - Monday - Friday
10am - 5pm - Saturday & Sunday

-FILL THIS TRUCK will be located at Griffins Place 1208 S. 9th Street in Canon City starting at 8 am on June 28th. Master Printers will be donating the banners. Please come by and show your Canon City Support by donating. Every little bit helps those in need. The location and trailer will stay there until it is full!

-Terra Verde is offering to match all cash or check donations dropped off at the store up to $5000. Stop in, donate to the Red Cross, Humane Society, Care and Share or other group supporting the Waldo Canyon Fire effort.\

-Toni and Guy Hairderessing Academy at 5125 N. Academy in Colorado Springs is offering free shampoo/styles for all evacuees. Open Tue-Sat, 8:30-4:00. Call 719-390-9898.

-Grease Monkey is holding a food drive for the victims. Any and all proceeds will be donated 100% to the victims. Anyone who brings 5 donated items gets a $10 dollar extreme car wash for free good for 30 days and or $10 off a full service oil change.

-Black Forest Animal Sanctuary can park trucks or RV's with horse trailers, horses, and some small animals (dogs/Cats). Donations are needed ASAP for feed and rescue efforts. www.bfasfarm.org 494-0158

-PPCC Student Government is spearheading a campaign to collect food, material and financial donations to support the firefighting efforts. Drop off food and clothing donations at any Campus Life office, Student Government tables in the atriums and commons areas at each campus, or the PPCC office at Falcon Campus. For more information, call 502-2522.

-Care and Share will continue to serve as the primary drop off location at least through next Tuesday, 2605 Preamble Point in Colorado Springs. 719-528-1247

-Polo Springs Veterinary Hospital is accepting pets from evacuated families. They are a
veterinary hospital and boarding facility. 719-264-8384.

Goodwill www.discovermygoodwill.org.. distributing donations to evacuees as needed.

-The following businesses in Pueblo are accepting non-perishable food and personal care items for those fighting and evacuating the Waldo Canyon Wildfire.
-Care & Share, Inc. - 100 Greenhorn Dr.
Accepting & transporting all donations to Colorado Springs.
-Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce - 302 N. Santa Fe Ave

-Andy Mac's - 2149 Jerry Murphy Rd. -Discover Goodwill Southern & Western Colorado - 3610 Dillon Dr. (Accepting Food Only)-Fun Yogurt - 223 South Union Ave. -Garlic & Onions Mexican Grill - 4333 Thatcher Ave.
-Musso's Italian Market & Deli - 105 South Union Ave.
-Musso's Restaurant - 35250 Hwy 50 East
-Pantry Restaurant - 107 ½ East Abriendo Ave.
-Plan-b-Sports-bar - 1400 Santa Fe Dr.
-Pueblo Spradley - 2145 US 50
-Shear Results - 225 N. Santa Fe Ave.
-Snap Fitness - 198 South Purcell Blvd.
-Southside Applebee's - 4001 West Northern Ave.
-The Edge Ski Paddle & Pack - 107 North Union Ave.

-The Walgreens at the corner of Prairie and Northern Ave in Pueblo is accepting donations for familes affected by the Waldo Canyon Fire. There is a trailer there and people can donate anytime they would like. They will accept anything from furniture, clothes, personal care items, coloring books, toys or games for kids whatever you are able to donate.

See the manager with help in getting items into the trailer.

-All Colorado Springs area Home Depots (including Monument) are going to be collection sites for customers to bring items for Care and Share. 531-6400 Ext 100 for list of items.

Breakfast Fundraiser for Waldo Canyon Fire Victims Josh and Mel Preston
Who: Open to the Community
When: Sunday, July 15 from 9:00-11:30 a.m.
Where: Salsa Brava Rockrimmon, 802 Village Center Dr.

Details: Join us for a complimentary breakfast and please consider bringing cash donations or gift cards to support siblings Josh and Mel Preston, two Salsa Brava Rockrimmon employees who lost homes in the Waldo Canyon Fire.

Scott Morrissey, Salsa Brava Rockrimmon General Manager. Restaurant: 719-266-9244

Residents of the Mountain Shadows area impacted by the Waldo Canyon Fire will be allowed to drive into and visit their properties in their personal vehicles on Sunday, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ONLY RESIDENTS WHO LIVE WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF 30TH STREET ON THE SOUTH, CENTENNIAL BOULEVARD ON THE EAST, AND FLYING W RANCH ROAD TO THE NORTH (including the roads to the west indicated in the map) WILL BE ALLOWED ACCESS.
Arrival/Check-in from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Photo i.d. and proof of residency (e.g., lease, management contact, utility bill, etc.) is required.
• Check-in locations are:
• North Division (click link for map) (North of Chuckwagon Road / South of Wolfe Ranch and South of Flying W Ranch Road / West of Centennial Boulevard) will check in at Eagle View Middle School at 1325 Vindicator Drive.
• South Division (click link for map) (South of Chuckwagon Road / North of 30th Street / West of Centennial Boulevard) will check in at the Verizon building (old MCI facility) at 2424 Garden of the Gods Road.
• Access Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Residents will be able to come and go through check points from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Area will be cleared by 6pm when mandatory evacuation orders are put back in place.

Please remember, this is still an active evacuation area with potentially hazardous conditions. Precautions should be taken to wear protective clothing, closed-toes shoes, etc. Please see the safety information sheet for details. No smoking or open flames and please use caution and best judgment. Some properties have been police taped and no entry is allowed past the tape.

No access to destroyed homes will be allowed at this time. Due to serious health and safety concerns, no sifting through debris will be allowed at this time. Safety and security personnel will be on site.
Residents whose homes are not visibly damaged will be able to enter their home, retrieve items, and are asked to take steps to secure their property, clean out refrigerators, etc. Details for the removal and disposal can also be found on the safety information sheet.

At the 4 p.m. press briefing today, additional information specific to the residents of Peregrine will be released.

Proper identification to enter will be required. Once given clearance to initially return to your home, here are things you should look for inside and outside to ensure you and your family remain safe.

No pets please during this initial re-entry visit.

Be properly dressed. Bring water and snacks.
-Wear boots, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. As there may be smoke and ash present you -may want a dust mask and gloves as well. These items may be available at the check point.
-There will be four stations of dumpsters, monitored, for food disposal only.
-Cleaning products, paint, batteries and damaged fuel containers need to be disposed of properly to avoid risk. There will be future information on how to handle disposal of these materials.

Watch out for:
-Charred trees and power poles that may be unstable
-Smoldering debris
-Items moved when firefighters were on location during the fire
-Ash pits (holes created by burned trees filled with hot ash)
-Stay on sidewalks if viewing a destroyed home. Please do not walk on to the property.

BEFORE you enter your home
-FIRST be sure there is no gas smell. If you smell gas, leave immediately and contact utilities at 719-448-4800 and alert emergency personnel in the area. Gas service will not be turned on in the Mountain Shadows area until utilities has finished capping all the lines. This is expected to take several days or even weeks.
-Do not allow children to play in the area.
-During the fighting of the fire items may have been moved, removed or relocated so do not be alarmed if deck furniture or items previously in your garage are now outside the home.

Once inside your home
-Beware of hot spots, dust, ash, broken glass and other sharp objects.
-Animals, reptiles and insects may have entered your home to avoid the flames. Be aware as you open closets, storage areas, garage and outbuildings.
-Humane Society will be standing by to offer assistance. Contact animal control if an animal is injured or unwilling to leave your home at 473-1741.
-Do not start cleaning or throwing away anything until you have contacted your insurance company.
-Be prepared to cover broken windows, doors and other exposed areas you may need to secure at your home. Save receipts for insurance purposes.
-Take pictures or videos and begin a list of damaged belongings.
-Do not sift through debris. We recommend you not handle ash and soot for health and safety reasons.
-Discard any food that may have been exposed to smoke, ash, heat or soot. Dumpsters will be located in the neighborhoods for disposal for food disposal ONLY.
-Do not drink water that may have been contaminated. This includes running your dishwasher, ice maker and other items that may have a central water system.
-If you have air quality concerns inside your home please notify staff at the check point exit when you leave for

We learned around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday night that pre-evacuation orders for the Monument area have been lifted.

That includes Monument, Palmer Lake, and unincorporated areas of El Paso County north of the Air Force Academy.

It's the fear of the unknown that hurts many evacuees, and for those in the neighborhood of Pinon Valley, returning home brought a mix of emotions.

They're breathing a sigh of relief, but they're grieving for their friends in Mountain Shadows.

"It never crossed my mind that something like this would happen until Saturday," said Michelle Alvis, a resident of Pinon Valley.

Pinon Valley is a place where people are walking their dogs again and unloading their cars, but not everything is back to normal.

"I was glad to come home, and yet I felt really scared at what I was going to see and how I was going to feel," said Alvis.

Luckily, no damage, but over fences and between hedgerows you can see how close the fire came.

"Those first 24 hours, I was definitely worried about where it was going because several of us saw it cross that ridge and how quickly it was moving," said Alvis.

One man saw the fire come down to the road when he went home to get something he forgot.

"Got the stuff and then ended up on Centennial, and the fire had come all the way down to Centennial, across from the Mormon Church," said Paul Durrenberger, a resident of Pinon Valley.

"The ash and the smoke were already pretty intense within 20 minutes of the evacuation order, yeah it was pretty major pretty quickly," said Alvis.

Alvis had been packing since Saturday.

"I was here by myself," said Alvis. "My children were out of town with their dad, and I knew I was going to be packing on my own. I wanted to make sure I took the time to think about those important things beyond documents. Those things that a lot of times you don't have the opportunity to save."

Now pictures and her kid's toys are in her kitchen, with her dogs who are safe at home.

She isn't afraid anymore, but she can't decide if she should unpack.

For many, they're happy, but grieving.

"Feel bad for the people up in Mountain Shadows," said Durrenberger. "We know a lot of people that go to Chipita Elementary School, and just wish the best for them."

"I feel blessed," said Alvis. "We all feel blessed in the neighborhood, but I feel like it's almost unfair. How close it came to us, and yet how unscathed we've been considering how much devastation is literally across the street from us."

Many just want to help out others as soon as they can.

Those we spoke to in Pinon Valley say they love seeing the community come together, so they have hope everyone in need will be taken care of.

Liz Hershberger is a wife and mother of four, ages five, four, three, and two.

They lost their home in Mountain Shadows.

"I'm a person that likes to give, and so I'm quite on the other end from where I've always been in my life," said Hershberger. "It's like starting from scratch, and people are doing so good in giving."

Saturday she found help at New Life Church where a huge donation drive went on most of the day.

Evacuees and those who have lost everything were able to find just about anything they could need, even things for their children.

For Hershberger, it's hard when her kids ask questions.

"Now the two youngest, they don't, but my daughters, they will," said Hershberger. "They're like, 'Mom my Christmas gift that grandma gave me, are we able to find that, and can we go see our house?' So yeah, there are a lot of questions, and questions we don't know how to answer."

The drive will continue Sunday from 8:30 in the morning till 1:30, and they will be accepting donations all week.

Smokey Bear wants to send out care packages to kids who have lost their homes in the Waldo Canyon Fire.

He is asking those kids to email him at smokey.psicc@gmail.com.

Residents of the Mountain Shadows area impacted by the Waldo Canyon Fire will be allowed to drive into and visit their properties in their personal vehicles on Sunday, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ONLY RESIDENTS WHO LIVE WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF 30TH STREET ON THE SOUTH, CENTENNIAL BOULEVARD ON THE EAST, AND FLYING W RANCH ROAD TO THE NORTH WILL BE ALLOWED ACCESS.

Arrival/Check-in from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Photo i.d. and proof of residency (e.g., lease, management contact, utility bill, etc.) is required.
Check-in locations are:
North Division(Chuckwagon Road / South of Wolfe Ranch and South of Flying W Ranch Road / West of Centennial Boulevard) will check in at Eagle View Middle School at 1325 Vindicator Drive.
South Division(South of Chuckwagon Road / North of 30th Street / West of Centennial Boulevard) will check in at the Verizon building (old MCI facility) at 2424 Garden of the Gods Road.

Access Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Residents will be able to come and go through check points from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Area will be cleared by 6pm when mandatory evacuation orders are put back in place.

Please remember, this is still an active evacuation area with potentially hazardous conditions. Precautions should be taken to wear protective clothing, closed-toes shoes, etc. Please see the safety sheet that will posted www.SpringsGov.comfor details. No smoking or open flames and please use caution and best judgment. Some properties have been police taped and no entry is allowed past the tape.

No access to destroyed homes will be allowed at this time. Due to serious health and safety concerns, no sifting through debris will be allowed at this time. Safety and security personnel will be on site.

Residents whose homes are not visibly damaged will be able to enter their home, retrieve items, and are asked to take steps to secure their property, clean out refrigerators, etc. Details for the removal and disposal of refrigerator contents are being worked out and will be posted on the City web site at www.SpringsGov.comlater today.

At the 4 p.m. press briefing today, additional information specific to the residents of Peregrine will be released.

Colorado Springs officials say they'll be holding a press conference at 2 p.m. to discuss plans for a homeowner bus tour of the Mountain Shadows neighborhood. Updates will come on KOAA.com as we get more information.

Colorado Springs - The Waldo Canyon fire has impacted a number of Post Offices, stations and routes. Today, because of the lifting of restrictions, some areas will see the resumption of full mail delivery service.

NEW: If you receive mail out of Rockrimmon Station, 80919/80949, the office has reopened and carriers are making limited deliveries. Some delivery areas remain closed and that mail will be available for pickup at the Rockrimmon Station. For specific questions, call (719) 266-8216.

NEW: If you receive mail in the Cedar Heights area, ZIP 80904, normal mail delivery will return today. The office is open and retail services are operational.

Additionally, all operations out of the Air Force Academy, 80840, North End Station, 80907, and Kissing Camel area, 80904, have returned to normal

CONTINUING:

CONTINUING: The Woodland Park Post Office, 80863/80866 and the Green Mountain Falls Post Office 80819 have been relocated to Divide, CO, 66 S. Hybrook Rd. Hours of service are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., phone (719) 687-5187.

CONTINUING: If you live in Cascade, CO, 80809, mail pickup will be at the Colorado Springs, West End Retail Unit, located at 204 S 25th St 80904. Hours are 8:30-5:30, phone 719-473-6513.

Future delivery decisions will be made after consulting with local emergency managers.

Customers who's homes have been impacted by the fire can file a change of address Electronic change of addresses can be filed online at http://www.usps.com or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS. (1-800-275-8777). Change of Address forms are also available at area Post Offices.
Postal officials are advising evacuees to file a change of address even if they are going to be at their current temporary location for a brief time. They will be able to file additional changes as they move to longer term locations.

If you need a safe and secure delivery point, consider renting a Post Office Box, available at all area Post Offices.

If there are further questions about your specific address, please call the appropriate number above for assistance.

Latest information from the 8:00 a.m. press conference:

-Today will be the first day crews will work on utility restoration. 990 homes are still without electricity.

-The fire is now 30 percent contained.

-The National Guard will arrive tonight to help battle the fire.

-Crews will do a 50 acre prescribed burn out in the Blodgett Peak Area. The burn is designed to secure containment lines.

-The total acres burned still remains at 17,073.

-Highway 24 remains closed till further notice.

-Officials haven't ordered any new evacuations. Also, the fire has not destroyed any new homes or structures.

-The Disaster Recovery Center is opening at 9:00 a.m. It will be located at 105 North Spruce Street in Colorado Springs. Insurance adjusters and grief counselors will lend help to people on-site. The center is open daily till 7:00 p.m.

-Officials tell people not to throw cigarettes out of their windows. Also, campfires are still prohibited.

-The backfire is successfully completed on west side of the fire. Crews are mopping up and anchoring down.

-Divide post office is still open for those without services in Teller County.

-If you're in Cedar Heights, your services are normal. If you don't get deliveries, contact 266-8216

-Kids who have lost their home, call 719-520-6771. "Smokey" will send a care package.

CLICK HERE

Woodland Park city manager, David Buttery, will be hosting an 11:30am press conference. This live update on the current Waldo Canyon fire situation as it pertains to Woodland Park, will be streamed live on KOAA.com. To watch the conference, click on the link below.

Topics: woodland park live stream update waldo canyon fire city manager David Buttery.

http://www.springsgov.com/units/communications/6_29rentry.pdf

If you're in Pueblo and want to make donations like water and Gatorade to help those affected by the Waldo Canyon Fire, you can take those to the first floor of the courthouse on W. 10th in Pueblo.

They're taking donations for Care and Share

"Colorado has been invaded be a fire, and this is our home state, and it's our job to fight against this fire and to help the people who've been displaced," said Gilbert Ortiz, Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder.

Just on Friday, they were able to collect 3,182 pounds worth of donations.

Evacuees can find a place to stay at the State Fairgrounds in Pueblo if they need it.

They say no one is staying in the 4-H dorms right now, but it's still an option for those evacuees who need a mattress where they can get some rest.

Those at the fairgrounds tell us they will keep it as an option just in case there is someone out there who needs their help.

FedEx has set up pick up locations in Colorado Springs for people who are out of their homes, yet expecting packages. Residents should go to the location that matches their zip code today.

For zip code 80919 or 80907 (west of I25 and north of Fillmore), a delivery contractor will be located at the Wendy's parking lot on the corner of Garden of the Gods and Chestnut from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For all of the evacuees that are expecting FedEx Ground or Home Delivery packages that reside in the mandatory evacuation area in eastern Woodland park section and down the Highway 24 toward Colorado Springs, including Green Mountain Falls (80819), Cascade(80809) or Chipita Park, a delivery contractor will be at the Rudy's BBQ Joint off Us Hwy 24 at 315 s 31st st. from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For all of the evacuees that are expecting FedEx Ground or Home Delivery packages that reside in Woodland Park (80863), a delivery contractor will be at the Divide Middle School from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please bring identification, tracking number or door tag and your address to help the driver locate your package quickly. For anyone who wants to check on their package status at any time, please call 1-800-GO-FEDEX.

Greenhorn Hall still has 200 rooms available to evacuees for $10 a night.

So far they've only had a few take advantage of their dorms, which are large enough to accommodate big families.

They've also had several people call and say they will need a place to stay this weekend.

They add the dorms will be available through next Thursday afternoon just in case anyone needs a place to stay.

Plus they are taking donations of toiletry and personal items only to stock up the bathrooms with needed supplies for the evacuees.

If you'd like to contact them, you can do so by calling 719-250-0646.

Some evacuations on Commerce Center Drive from Woodmen northward have been lifted. That's the Thunderbird and Pinecreek estates l- communities accessed by Pinecreek Rd. and Tudor Rd.

Beginning Saturday, all eight military C-130 equipped each equipped MAFFS firefighting systems will be assisting with firefighting efforts throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.

Two MAFFS-equipped C-130s from the Wyoming Air National Guard's 153rd Airlift Wing and the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing have been working out of Peterson Air Force Base since June 25.

NORAD has approved the U.S. Forest Service request for the remaining 4 C-130s in the fleet.

The California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing, from Channel Islands, and the North Carolina Air National Guard's 145th Airlift Wing, from Charlotte, will join the 153rd and the 302nd.

Officials say this is the first time since 2008 that all eight military aircraft have been activated at one time.

The Air Force Academy has resume normal operations.

Personnel should contact chain of command for reporting instructions.

Spontaneous thanks to firefighters continue to be seen around the city. This sign is on 31st Street, south of the damaged area on the west side of the city.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with assistance from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and Monument Police Department arrested a pair of alleged burglary suspects accused of breaking into a home in an area of the Waldo Canyon fire evacuation zone.

CBI agents, acting on information developed in an unrelated investigation surrounding possible identity theft, arrested 38 year old Belinda Yates and 36 year old Shane Garrett in connection to the burglary of a home in a Colorado Springs subdivision evacuated by local authorities as a result of the Waldo Canyon fire.

Yates and Garrett were also in possession of methamphetamine at the time of their arrests in Monument.

The suspects were taken to the El Paso County Jail where they are being held on a myriad of charges including suspicion of second degree burglary, possession of a controlled substance, theft, possession of a weapon by a previous offender and theft by receiving. Advisement is set for 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 29.

CBI agents continue to investigate the case and are coordinating with area law enforcement to determine if other homes may have been targeted by the suspects.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Pete Carey stated he fully supports the recovery of stolen property and the arrests of alleged offenders who would commit crimes against evacuated residents.

"It's difficult to believe, but disaster situations prompt some would-be criminals to take advantage of the heartbreak facing residents forced to evacuate their homes," said CBI Director Ron Sloan. "Law enforcement takes this seriously and will work together to identify and arrest these individuals."

One person has died so far in the Waldo Canyon Fire.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Pete Carey announced the death Thursday night during a press conference.

Carey said the body was found at 2910 Rossmere and two more people may be missing from that address.

Carey had said at an earlier press briefing that as many as 10 people may be unaccounted for as a result of the Waldo Canyon Fire.

The City met with residents Thursday night to inform them about the condition of their property in the Flying W Ranch area and Mountain Shadows subdivision. So far, 346 homes have burned in the disaster.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., - Academy officials have deemed it safe for residents of the Pine Valley and Douglass Valley housing areas to return to their residence effective 5 a.m. Friday, June 29.

Academy officials recommend utilizing both the North and South gates to minimize traffic flow.

All government evacuation entitlements will expire after 5 a.m. Saturday, June 30. Information on filing evacuation entitlement vouchers will be released Friday.

Academy personnel who have been evacuated from off-base residential areas will continue to receive evacuation entitlements until 24 hours after their respective evacuation orders are lifted by civilian authorities.

Normal operations will resume throughout most of the Academy on Friday. All Academy personnel, including non-essential, must contact your chain of command for duty reporting instructions.

The Academy will resume normal visitor hours on Saturday.

"We could be saying goodbye to our house for all we know," said Dave Marlor as he evacuated his Mountain Shadows home along with his wife Sheryl and their three boys at home with them. The Waldo Canyon Fire was suddenly moving toward their home and hundreds of others. It was approaching so fast the family had just minutes to grab what they thought was important and go. "The heat you could start to feel the heat on my face. It was like standing really close to a campfire and I'm going this is not the heat of the day. This is the heat of the fire getting closer to us."

When safe with friends his family watched and read media reports for hours. "When we saw some of the pictures that were posted on the internet that night I thought our house was gone." One of the most discouraging showed their home standing but surrounded by other homes on fire. "We realized that this is our house right here and that across the street in our cul-de-sac that these houses are burning and all this is in flames," said Sheryl Marlor.

There are over 340 homes so far that have burned, but even though they are still not able to go back to their neighborhood they know their home is still standing. They've been busy studying pictures including aerials they have found on the internet. They also have gotten photos from friends.

After the inferno they witness they are amazed and happy their house is still standing. "But there are mixed emotions," said Dave Marlor. There are also feeling of loss and sorrow. The Marlor home is surrounded by the burned remains of friends and neighbors homes, many who they have known for over 20 years. They are going back to a neighborhood that has been destroyed. "How do you restart. You're going to go back there and live in your house and look out and there's nothing standing in front of you and an occasional house here and there. How can you ever feel normal again," said Sheryl.

El Paso County will open a Disaster Recovery Center designed to bring together the resources of multiple non-profit and governmental agencies offering assistance to all El Paso County residents impacted by the Waldo Canyon fire.

The center, at 105 north Spruce Street opens at 9 am, Saturday, June 30th.

Residents can access services ranging from assistance in filing insurance claims to grief counseling and rebuilding as the community begins to work toward recovery from this tragic event.

Among the agencies and departments that will be respresented:

- County Health Department

- Regional Building

- Pikes Peak Behavioral Health

- Veterans Services

- United Way

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) is providing assistance in establishing the Disaster Recovery Center. From 30 years of experience in managing disasters, DOLA has learned the value of offering a central location where residents can access their insurance companies and get information from groups such as:

- County Health Department

- Regional Building

- Pikes Peak Behavioral Health

- Veterans Services

- United Way

Roughly 3,000 people were evacuated in Woodland Park and Teller County Wednesday because of the Waldo Canyon Fire. According to Woodland Park Mayor David Turley the fire is still burning about 2 miles from Wellington Gulch, so he says the threat to Woodland Park still exists. Highway 24 remain shut down east of Woodland Park. The closure and evacuations have forced restaurants like Burger King, McDonalds and Wendy's to close. Walmart is also shut down. Some businesses like Safeway have managed to stay open. No word when the highway will reopen. Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Due to extremely dry and windy conditions, U.S. Forest Service (USFS) officials are increasing fire restrictions today, Thursday, to Stage II for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests (PSI). The goal is to protect public health and safety due to the current elevated risk of wildfires.

The PSI is in Stage II fire restrictions as of June 28 for all National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads and trails until rescinded. These lands include: Chaffee, Clear Creek, Custer, Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Huerfano, Jefferson, Lake, Las Animas, Park, Pueblo and Teller Counties in Colorado.

"Protecting people and homes is our main priority and this Order will help. Because fire danger is at an all-time high, preventing additional ignitions is vital," said Forest Supervisor Jerri Marr.

Under Stage II fire restrictions the following acts are prohibited on the PSI:

• No open fire, except when using a petroleum stove, grill, or lantern with a buffer cleared of all vegetation on all sides for at least three feet.

• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.

• Possessing or using fireworks or other pyrotechnic device.

• Using an explosive.

• Using any internal or external combustion engine (including chainsaws, ATVs and motorcycles) without a spark arresting device properly working.

• Possessing or using a vehicle off National Forest System Roads, except when parking in areas completely cleared of all vegetation.

• Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

• Commercial operations such as road maintenance and other activities are limited to the cooler parts of the day (10:00pm to 10:00am).

Violation of these regulations is punishable by a fine or imprisonment, or both. A person found responsible for causing a wildfire as a result of violating these restrictions could also be charged for associated fire suppression costs.

"We are being aggressive about reducing the risk of human caused fires. We need visitors to our forests to follow the fire restrictions and prohibitions," added Marr.

Officials advise visitors to know about restrictions and their locations on a map before going out to the woods or grasslands. Motor Vehicle Use Maps are available at all National Forest and Grassland offices at no cost. Some exemptions apply to holders of valid permits, leases and authorizations.

Starting at 8pm people in the Kissing Camels, Holland Park, and Lower Rockrimmon will be allowed back home.

Cedar Heights, Mountain Shadows, Peregrine, and Rockrimmon neighborhood are still under mandatory evacuation

During the afternoon media briefing Colorado Springs mayor Steve Bach announced that an early assessment showed at least 346 homes were destroyed by the Waldo Canyon Fire.

Bach, his wife Susie and other community leaders will meet with homeowners from the evacuation areas tonight at 8:00 at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. "This is going to be a tough evening but we're going to get through this," Bach said.

Colorado Springs Emergency Manager Brett Waters said a map of the damaged homes will be posted online following the meeting. Waters added that he is hopeful that significant number of evacuations will soon be lifted.

Mayor Bach says 346 homes on 34 streets were destroyed by the Waldo Canyon Fire.

Mandatory evacuation areas expected to be lifted on east side of fire zone.

Good progress made in fighting the fire today. Containment now at 10 percent and improving.

Seventy five firefighters will remain in fire area 24 hours a day to reduce travel time to fire lines.

Small number of people, less than 10, may be missing. No search of damaged structures has yet been done.

Numbers of people at shelters:

Cheyenne Mountain High School, 131

YMCA, 35

Lewis-Palmer High School, 35

A meeting ONLY for residents of the streets below will be held tonight to inform them of the status of their homes.

Tonight, 8 p.m., Gallogly Events Center, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

6 p.m. Busses depart shelters

6 p.m. Check-in opens

8 p.m. Residents meeting begins

9 p.m. Press conference at media staging area with residents from the meeting who will give interviews.

This meeting is for residents of the following streets only. This is NOT a public meeting. Residents should bring identification to gain meeting access. Refreshments will be provided. Counselors will be available.

Residents of these streets should attend:

Trevor Lane
Linger Way
Rossmere Street
Tallesson Court
Sandray Court
Majestic Drive
Ravina Court
Regal View Road
Stoneridge Drive
Heartstone Lane
Karamy Court
Lionsgate Lane
Hot Springs Court
Jenner Court
Brogans Bluff
Darien Way
Rayburn Way
Braeburn Way
Timora Way
Mirror Lake Court
Wilson Road
Harbor Pines Point
Yankton Place
Chambrey Court
Charing Court
Ashton Park Place
Courtney Drive
Vantage Vista Drive
Vantage Ridge Court
Huffman Court
Aubrey Way
Van Reen Drive
Alabaster Way
Lannigan Street

The city of Colorado Springs says a meeting will be held tonight to inform residents in specific areas affected by the Waldo Canyon Fire as to the status of their homes. Location and time will be confirmed at today's 4 p.m. media briefing. The meeting will be limited to only those residents in designated areas - this is NOT open to the public. Invited residents should bring identification to gain meeting access.

Mountain Metropolitan Transit has restored service Thursday to routes that had been temporarily stopped due to evacuations related to the Waldo Canyon. Fixed-route 3 and a modified Route 16 are both back in service.

Metro Mobility will not operate in the area west of Interstate 25 and North of US 24.

Fixed-route 14 is currenlty not operating.

FREX service will resume its regular schedule on Friday June 29, 2012 without a stop at the Woodmen Park-n-Ride. There are a limited number of parking spaces at the Tejon Park-n-Ride. So, those displaced at Woodmen should consider the Monument Park-n-Ride as an alternate location.

The US Postal Service has establish additional locations where evacuees can pick up their mail. The locations are separated by neighborhood based on the customers regular post office.

Evacuees from the Air Force Academy can pick up at the Briargate Post Office, 8585 Criterion Drive 719-598-7516.

Evacuees who would receive mail at the Rockrimmon Post Office can pick up at the Templeton Post Office, 4356 Montebello Dr, 719-266-6033.

Evacuees from Cascade, Kissing Camels and Cedar Heights can pick up at the West End Post Office, 204 25th St. 719-473-6513.

Evacuees from Green Mountain Falls and Woodland Park can pick up at the Divide Post Office, 66 Hybrook Rd. in Divide 800-275-8777

Evacuees from Holland Park can still pick up their mail from the North End Post Office, 2940 N. Prospect St. 719-473-5204.

Tens of thousands of Colorado Springs residents forced from their homes by a raging wildfire are taking refuge with friends or family and crammed into hotels and shelters.

Army troops are helping firefighters protect the U.S. Air Force Academy from encroaching flames.

The blaze was burning out of control early Thursday in the mountains and within Colorado's second-largest city, after more than 30,000 evacuees fled.

Shifting winds Wednesday challenged firefighters trying to contain the 29-square-mile Waldo Canyon blaze and extinguish hot spots inside Colorado Spring's western suburbs. The National Weather Service reported 60 mph winds and lightning above the fire Wednesday afternoon, but winds were calmer by nightfall.

Because of the intense flames and thick smoke, rescue workers aren't able to tell residents which structures were destroyed and which ones are still standing.

The U.S. Forest Service plans to increase fire prevention patrols during the busy 4th of July holiday. "The Fourth of July holiday weekend is the peak risk for human caused fires as visitors flood into outdoor recreation areas. U.S. Forest Service officials urge all visitors to the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands to leave their fireworks at home. Possessing fireworks on U.S. Forest Service lands is always prohibited," said Ralph Bellah, Fire Prevention Specialist.

Rangers will strictly enforce the no fireworks law. Violators could receive a $5,000 fine and or six months in jail.

The director of operations and the chairman of the board says they are working with competitors, support groups and sponsors to choose a new date for the summer. They say the US Forest service says the race wont be safe because of the fires, and that law enforcement won't have enough resources and man power to work the race. Sent from my iPhone. Please excuse typos.

Woodland Park city manager, David Buttery, will be hosting an 11:30am press conference. This live update on the current Waldo Canyon fire situation as it pertains to Woodland Park, will be streamed live on KOAA.com. To watch the conference, click on the link below.

LIVE STREAM

Sign up to be notified by the city about your property

Colorado Springs city website

Teller County website

Fire information

Most of the growth of the Waldo Canyon Fire was on the eastern side of the fire today. It burned actively Wednesday afternoon near Sand Gulch, but did not cross Highway 24. The main concern is the southeast edge near Cedar Heights.

The fire did not progress further into Cedar Heights today, but firefighters continue to work on hot spots in that area. Flames continued near Rampart Reservoir and continues to be a concern.

Thunderstorms passed over Wednesday and brought winds gusting to 63 miles an hour on the southeast side of the fire. Extra moisture in the air will help firefighting efforts. Aircraft will resume drops by 8 a.m. Thursday.

Evacuations and Closures

Currently on mandatory evacuation:

Cascade, Chipita Park, Green Mountain Falls, Crystola

City of Colorado Springs

All areas north of Garden of the Gods Rd. between I-25 to the east all the way to the western City limits and north to the Air Force Academy plus the area north of Fillmore/Fontmore west of Centennial to 30th St.

Air Force Academy
Evacuated areas include all housing areas on the base except the airfield.

Teller County

An area south of Woodland Park to the county line, as well as an area east of Woodland Park over to Rampart Range Road.

Highway 24 is closed from Cave of the Winds to the Teller County line.

Red Cross Shelters

Lewis Palmer High School (1300 Higby, Monument, CO)
Cheyenne Mountain High School (1200 Cresta Road, Colorado Springs, CO)
Southeast YMCA (2190 Jet Wing Drive, Colorado Springs, CO)
Summit Elementary School, Divide, CO

Evacuees should register on www.redcross.org/safeandwell. Family and friends can check status there and also by phone at (719) 785-2724.

Pueblo photographer John Wark took a photo this morning that shows a large neighborhood devastated by fire in the Mountain Shadows area.

Click here to view the photo. Use the password "fire"

KOAA 5 has partnered with the El Pomar Foundation to establish a fund for victims affected by the Waldo Canyon Fire. Click here to donate, or mail your donations to:

Pikes Peak United Way
Attn: Waldo Canyon Fire Victim Assistance Fund
518 N. Nevada Ave.
Colorado Springs 80903

The State Fair is offering help to those displaced by the Waldo Canyon Fire.

The Colorado State Fair is prepared to house people, livestock, and pets.

"We communicated with the Red Cross on Tuesday about this devastating fire and how the Colorado State Fair could help; we have offered our 4H and FFA dormitories for those who have been evacuated and our fairgrounds to house pets and livestock," said General Manager, Chris Wiseman. "This fire will have far-reaching and long-lasting effects; it is important for Coloradans to come together and work through this as a unified community and the Colorado State Fair is committed to doing our part."

We ask that residents work through the coordinated efforts of the Red Cross instead of contacting the Fair directly:

Red Cross

719-632-3563

Sports Corp. announced Wednesday that the Pikes Peak Hill Climb has been postponed due to safety concerns and the fires around Colorado Springs.

A new date will be selected for the summer.

Like many evacuees, Susan Solich has been living out of boxes since the waldo canyon fire first erupted Saturday.

"Sunday we went back just to grab a few things and to water my plants on the off chance that there would be still plants and it was just burning, but not close to us and we just weren't really afraid."

For the past year and a half, susan has been caring for her 4 grandsons after both their mom and dad died in separate incidents about 2 months apart.

"We packed up some pictures, we packed up the boys packed up their mother and fathers ashes and you know it's just what can't we live without."

Last night they watched as their Mountain Shadows neighborhood, her home 18 years, was consumed by flames.

"The boys panicked and you could see somewhere inside them it was like, wow what other loss are we going to have to take here."

Today, she's grateful for the photos and memories that were saved, but she knows this crisis has been especially difficult on her grandsons. The sentimental value of their belongings seems even greater.

"They were bringing their Legos, Justin brought his deer antlers from the first deer that he shot, you know it's like 'put it all in the car grandma! Put it all in the car!' and it's been very tough," she said.

Despite the sense of loss, Susan is determined to push ahead.

"I feel blessed that we're all safe, we're all together and it's just stuff, it's just stuff."

The following businesses are accepting non-perishable food and personal care items for those fighting and evacuating the Waldo Canyon Wildfire.

Care & Share, Inc. - 100 Greenhorn Dr.
Accepting and transporting all donations to Colorado Springs

Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce - 302 N. Santa Fe Ave
* We will be transporting all donations to Care & Share, Inc.

Andy Mac's - 2149 Jerry Murphy Rd.

Discover Goodwill Southern & Western Colorado - 3610 Dillon Dr. (Accepting Food Only)

Fun Yogurt - 223 South Union Ave.
Garlic & Onions Mexican Grill - 4333 Thatcher Ave.

Musso's Italian Market & Deli - 105 South Union Ave.
Musso's Restaurant - 35250 Hwy 50 East
Pantry Restaurant - 107 ½ East Abriendo Ave.
Plan-b-Sports-bar - 1400 Santa Fe Dr.
Pueblo Spradley - 2145 US 50
Shear Results - 225 N. Santa Fe Ave.
Snap Fitness - 198 South Purcell Blvd.
Southside Applebee's - 4001 West Northern Ave.
The Edge Ski Paddle & Pack - 107 North Union Ave.

For more information call the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, 719-542-1704

Colorado Springs, CO, June 27, 2012 - Due to the Waldo Canyon Fire, the El Paso County Citizens Service Center is closed until further notice. To provide citizens with critical services the county has made the following arrangements:

Department of Human Services--
Economic Assistance including food assistance services will be available at 17 N. Spruce (the old DHS building) beginning at 1pm Thursday June 28

Child and Adult Protective Services - caseworkers are taking and working from remote locations. The Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 444-5700 and Adult Abuse and Neglect Intake Line at 444-5755 are staffed and taking calls as usual.

Public Health

Public Health's usual information line at (719) 578-3199 will be staffed to answer questions about birth and death certificates, clinics and immunizations

Women Infant and Children (WIC) staff will be offering food vouchers (only for clients who are in need of infant formula or need special formula) to clients that usually have appointments at the Citizen Services Center. The alternate location for WIC clients is on the Southeast part of the County at 97 Widefield Blvd., Widefield, CO, 80911; call (719) 578-3199.

Pikes Peak Workforce Center-
Basic processing for unemployment insurance claims will be available at:
Pikes Peak Workforce Center at the Lorraine Center
301 E. Iowa Avenue
Fountain, Colorado 80817
(719) 444-8311

Assessor - Most frequently requested services including search of property records are available online

Treasurer - Delinquent June tax payments will be accepted when Treasurer's Office reopens July 3rd at Citizens Service Center

Clerk and Recorder- All functions except recording and public search of paper documents are available at the 3 other locations Southeast - At the corner of Airport and Powers, Union Town Center at 8830 N. Union Blvd. and Centennial Hall at 200 S. Cascade

The Clerk expects to complete the processing of a relatively few remaining uncounted ballots as soon as it is safe to do so.

Not much new information was given at the afternoon news briefing on the Waldo Canyon Fire.

Around 32,500 people remained evacuated as firefighters continue to work structure fires in the Flying W. Ranch and Mountain Shadows neighborhoods. In some cases fire has worked back into some of the same areas hit yesterday. The size of the fire is at 15,324 acres.

Spot fires continue around Blodgett Peak and Stanley.

Erratic winds are causing fire to flare up in some locations. "We are prepared for the fire to move as fast as it did yesterday," said incident commander, Rich Harvey.

No number of structures damaged or destroyed was available but a number may be available in 24 hours.

Authorities want to meet individually with property owners whose homes were damaged or destroyed to share the news in a sensitive way.

Over 70 police officers including members from Aurora, Pueblo, State Patrol, DOC, Ft. Carson, El Paso County Sheriff's Office, FBI the ATF and other agencies are helping to provide safety and traffic direction.

All mandatory evacuations remain in place and now include Woodland Park in areas under voluntary evacuations earlier.

Pre-evacuation orders were ordered for Monument, Holland Park east of Centennial Blvd and north of Fillmore and north Pleasant Valley west of 30th Street.

City and county activities continue despite firefighting efforts.

The El Paso County Services Center on Garden of the Gods is closed due to the fire and services are being handled at other sites. See the county website for temporary lcoations.

It was so windy that Ophelia's News 5 hat flew away! The winds here at Gold Lill are moist, warm and hazy. It carries debris that stings when it hits you.

The Town of Monument is under a Pre-Evacuation order. This affects the areas of Monument west of Interstate 25 and south of County Line Rd. Residents in these areas should gather all important paperwork, prescriptions, insurance policy information, personal valuables, clothing, etc. and be prepared to evacuate quickly.

President Obama will visit the area Friday to see the damage caused by the Waldo Canyon Fire.

Obama called Governor John Hickenlooper and Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach today to receive an update on damaging fires that are impacting a number of communities across the state, including the devastating Waldo Canyon fire that is affecting families, homes and businesses in Colorado Springs.

The President will view the damage and thank the responders bravely battling the fire.

Pleasant Valley

Gateway Road to the north, heading east to North 30th Street, which then heads south to Fontanero Street and west to 31st Street

South on 31st Street to Highway 24

West on Highway 24 to the Colorado Springs city limits; at this point the boundary follows the city limit north and slightly west to Garden Lane

Garden Lane north to Gateway Road

Holland Park

Garden of the Gods Road as the northern boundary

Centennial Blvd is the western boundary

I-25 is the eastern boundary

Fillmore Street as the southern boundary

New evacuations orders are in place for Woodland Park. These include the areas east of State Highway 24 from Crystola to Baldwin Street/Rampart Range Road to the Teller County Border at Loy Creek.
- West of Highway 24 and South of Aspen Garden Way, Rodeo Way, Ranch Drive, Mane Street, CR 231/West Street intersecting Highway 24, West on Highway 24 to Edlowe Road, and South on Edlowe Road, to include the subdivisions of Ranch Estates and Holiday Hills
-All residences North of a line from Crystola to Catamount Estates (off of CR 281)

Summit Elementary remains the shelter in Divide for Teller County.

The rest of Woodland Park, not included in the mandatory evacuation is under a pre-evacuation notice including all areas east of CR25 (a.k.a. Tranquil Acres Road and Mocks) to Blossom Road, including the subdivision of Tranquil Acres, north to the intersection of Forest Service Roads 357 and 357b, north on FSR 357 to CR 78 (a.k.a. Painted Rocks Road), north to the Douglas County Line.

Monument and Palmer Lake are under a pre evacuation order, everything west of the Interstate 25 and south & west of county line road.

The Waldo Canyon Fire has caused 32,500 people to be evacuated in Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

At a morning news conference, officials said structures were lost in the last 24 hours, but they don't have a good count at this point.

Firefighting efforts continue with hundreds of additonal personnel on the way.

15,324 acres have burned and the containment remains at 5%.

The plan for the day is structure protection in the evacuated areas and to try and get a number of how many homes were damaged or destroyed.

I-25 is open in both directions and Highway 24 remains closed from Cave of the Winds to Crystola.

There are no new evacuations in effect at this time.

Summit Elementary in Divide, Cheyenne Mountain High School at 1200 Cresta Road, the southeastern YMCA at 2190 Jet Wing Drive and Lewis Palmer High School, 1300 Higby in Monument.

Click here for a map of the evacuation area.

Southwest Douglas County is now under pre-evacuation warning as the Waldo Canyon Fire grows to more than 15,000 acres.

The specific area included in this pre-evacuation warning is bounded by the Palmer Divide Road on the south, Noe Road on the north, Spruce Mountain on the east, and Rampart Range Rd.on the west.

Residents in the affected area need to make immediate plans for the evacuation and care of family members and animals. The Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock can accommodate evacuees and large animals should an evacuation become necessary. Residents are urged to gather important documents, medications, and important personal effects so that they will be immediately available should conditions deteriorate.

Please monitor local news channels for fire updates. If the fire comes dangerously close to your area, an evacuation order will be sent to this same telephone number. However, residents must maintain situational awareness. If you are in danger, DO NOT WAIT for an evacuation order. Take the initiative to leave immediately if local conditions warrant such action.

Please refrain from calling 9-1-1 unless you have an actual emergency. Check the Douglas County Sheriff's Office website, DCSHERIFF.NET, for updates.

Again, this is a pre-evacuation warning for your area. If an evacuation is necessary, residents will need to evacuate to the North.

The USPS has made some changes to your mail delivery:

If you receive mail at AFA, you will be able to pick up your mail at Briargate Station, 8585 Criterion Drive.
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (719) 265-4409

If you receive mail from Rockrimmon Station, mail will be available at Templeton Station, 4356 Montebello Drive.
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. (719) 266-6033

If you receive mail out of North End Station, Holland Park, West Centennial and Garden of the Gods area, mail can be picked up at North End Station 2940 N. Prospect.
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (719) 473-5304

Many have been asking how to help out with those displaced in the Waldo Canyon Fire. Thanks to generous donations, many places have all the supplies and goods they need. However, they are still accepting monetary donations. Below are the details and how you can donate:

- Cheyenne Mountain HS Shelter: as of Tuesday night, they do not need anything. This may change on Wednesday.

- Red Cross: accepting cash donations. Donate at http://redcross.org, or donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

- Pikes Peak Humane Society: accepting cash donations at http://hsppr.org. May also need bottled water for staff and animal kennels.

- Salvation Army: cash donations accepted at http://imsalvationarmy.org

The following parks and recreation areas are closed

• Pulpit Rock Park
• Section 16
  
• Ute Valley Park
  
• Stratton Open Space
  
• Red Rock Canyon Open Space
  
• Garden of the Gods Park
  
• Palmer Park
  
• North Cheyenne Canon Park
  
• Pikes Peak Highway and High Drive
  
• Wilson Ranch Pool
  
• Garden of the Gods Visitor's Center
  
• Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
  
• Starsmore Discovery Center
  
• Helen Hunt Fall Visitor's Center
  
• Blodgett Open Space
  
• Wilson Ranch Pool YMCA (Swim lessons will be held at Portal Pool until further notice.)

CANCELED:
Youth Baseball/T-ball/Softball: Palmer Park, Pinon Valley, Jackson, Westmoor, and Mountain Shadows parks. Remember... all games/activities are voluntary. If parents are concerned on air quality, we understand it's your right to stay home. Please contact your volunteer coach on your attendance to games this week.

The Kissing Camels area, including south of Garden of the Gods Road, west of Centennial Blvd, east of 30th Street, north of Fillmore St. and Fontmore Road.

This includes the area of the Holland Park neighborhood west of Centennial ONLY. Holland Park east of Centennial is not under an evacuation order at this time.

Residents are asked to leave the area immediately and may not return home. If residents choose not to comply with these mandatory evacuation orders, the Colorado Springs Police Department and Colorado Springs Fire Department may not be able to assist you or guarantee your protection

The voluntary evacuation for the rest of Mountain Shadows and Peregrine has now been upgraded to a mandatory evacuation.

This is the area outlined earlier this afternoon.

Structure protection is set up at Flying W. Ranch Road.

See the enclosed map.

The mandatory evacuation areas for the Waldo Canyon Fire have not changed since last night when Manitou Springs residents were allowed to go home.

The Cedar Heights neighborhood, and part of Mountain Shadows from 30th Street west is under evacuation orders as well as Chipita Park, Cascade and Green Mountain Falls. The evacuation area also extends north almost to Woodland Park on the east side of Highway 24. That includes Farish and Carrol Lake.

Residents on the east side of Woodland Park have been told to prepare for evacuation.

Woodland Park is showing signs of its isolation. Highway 24 is closed between Manitou Springs and Crystola because of the Waldo Canyon Fire.

Last night at least two Woodland Park gas stations closed because they were out of fuel. Many other busineses closed as well.

Here's where firefighters get water to fight the Waldo Canyon Fire, from a pond at the Kissing Camels Estates.

This helicopter and 6 other planes were in the air today over Cedar Heights, Rampart Range Road and Ute Pass.

Thanks to Paul Moede for sending in the video.

Residents of Manitou Springs lined up at road blocks when they learned evacuation orders would be lifted at 8 p.m.

If you are in Colorado Springs you know it is very smokey right now, and that can be bad for your health.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Regional Air Quality Council have release a warning about the air quality in El Paso County.

They state "if visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy. In these areas, people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion; everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion."

From the Incident Commanders on the Waldo Canyon Fire:

The Mandatory Evacuation Order for Manitou Springs will be released at 8 p.m.

Crystal Park is not in the Manitou Springs jurisdiction and is still under Mandatory Evacuation.

Hwy 24 is closed west of Colorado Springs - In particular, westbound is closed near the west exit for Manitou Springs, and eastbound is closed at the El Paso/Teller County Line near Crystola.

We'll bring you more information as we get it.

The Waldo Canyon Fire is growing in three directions. The last estimate indicated the fire has consumed 2,000 acres, but it is certainly bigger than that now.

The fire is growing to the northeast, southwest, and northwest.

Evacuations have been ordered for Cedar Heights, part of Mountain Shadows, Manitou Springs, Cascade, Green Mountain Falls and Chipita Park.

Pre-evacuation orders have been issued from Morning Sun to Rampart Range Road south of Woodland Park.

A total of 11,000 are under evacuation orders.

Highway 24 is closed in both directions from 31st to Crystola.

Nine aircraft are now fighting the fire just west of Colorado Springs. This information comes from a briefing at four o'clock Sunday afternoon. This includes three heavy tankers, four single engine tankers and two helicopters.

There are also 450 firefighters on the ground and that number is growing.

A total of about 11,000 people are under evacuation orders from Manitou Springs, the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County. Law enforcement asks people to leave when asked so officers don't have to spend valuable time enforcing evacuation orders.

Garden of the Gods Park, Cheyenne Canyon Park and Palmer Park are all closed. The Pikes Peak Highway is also closed.

The Incident Commander and local officials gave a news conference at 4 p.m.

Here's the latest information:

2,500 acres

11,000 evacuees between Manitou, Colorado Springs, El Paso County

Hoping to fly over tonight to get a better estimate

Cheyenne Canyon Park, Garden of the Gods, Palmer Park all closed. Fire Department asking you to just stay out of all parks to avoid anything that might trigger another fire or rescue. Fire Crews can't do anymore right now.

450+ firefighters are on scene right now

Type 1 Incident Team on scene, will likely take over Monday morning

El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs have issued joint declarations that the Waldo Canyon Fire is a local disaster. Local emergency declarations are declared to formally activate emergency operations plans, activate mutual assistance agreements and qualify for certain types of Federal and State disaster assistance.

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa says the declaration, "Heightens the seriousness of the fire and the threat it poses and it opens the gates for additional Federal support and assistance."

El Paso County Commissioner Chair Amy Lathen added, "As the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, I have signed a Declaration of Local Disaster. I want to thank all the brave men and women on the ground and in the air who are fighting this raging fire. We are coordinating closely with numerous agencies and deeply appreciate the extraordinary efforts being waged here in our Pikes Peak regional home."

Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach said, "This is obviously something beyond the resources of any one agency. This declaration is the next step needed for an incident of this size. I commend and thank everyone from all of the agencies helping and ask our citizens to please respect all closures and emergency messages being put out to allow everyone to do their jobs."

Four C-130 Aircraft will join the fire fighting efforts on the west side of Colorado Springs.

Two aircraft will be coming from the 153rd Airlift Wing in Cheyenne, WY, and two aircraft will be from the local 302nd Airlift Wing in Colorado Springs, CO. The aircraft will be operating from Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.

The MAFFS program is a joint effort between the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Defense. The U.S. Forest Service owns the MAFFS equipment and supplies the retardant, while the DoD provides the C-130 aircraft, pilots, and maintenance and support personnel to fly the missions.

Each aircraft can drop 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in less than five seconds covering an area 100 feet wide and a quarter mile long.

Anyone still in Cedar Heights neighborhood on the west side of Colorado Springs should evacuate immediately. Cedar Heights has been under evacuation orders since yesterday. Now the situation is becoming more critical.

The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region is offering Waldo Canyon Fire evacuees free use of all Y's and City-owned, Y-operated aquatic and recreation facilities for showers and recreation with a driver's license and/or military I.D. These services are being offered during regular operating hours under the honor system on a space available basis . Browse this website for hours and locations. Updates will be posted here and on Facebook and twitter.

YMCA Day Camp services will be offered to children ages 5-12 of evacuees beginning Monday, June 25 on a space available basis at the following locations: Tri-Lakes, Meridian Ranch, Garden Ranch, Downtown and Southeast Family Centers. Registration can be completed at drop-off.

Press Conference Recap:

Mayor Bach said the fire is very serious, and they are working hard to gain containment.

72 firefighters from Colorado Springs are currently working on the fire. Officials estimate a total of 400 firefighters are on scene. For today, firefighters are focusing on structure protection and holding the fire line.

Last night, the fire was 1,500 acres. Right now, the fire has grown to over 2,000 acres, and is spreading at a quarter to half-mile an hour rate. Firefighters are trying to keep the fire north of Highway 24, while preventing embers from spreading. The fire is currently a quarter mile away from structures.

The weather today is hotter and dryer than yesterday. Also, the wind is still an issue.

Multiple planes and heavy air tankers are being used. Crews are using The Air Force Academy as a base for the planes.

Woodland Park High School and Cheyenne Mountain High School are being used as a base for evacuees. The Red Cross asks people to call 650-9132 when searching for family members.

Sign up for reverse 911 calls at https://elptc911.onthealert.com.

For updated fire information, visit inciweb.org. Also continue to check koaa.com and our Facebook page for the latest coverage.

Highway 24 is now closed in both directions from Crystola to 31st Street. Traffic is being discouraged on Highway 24 where it is open from Crystola to Woodland Park

Before you head out, click on the Traffic tab at KOAA.com and get the latest accidents, closures, highway speeds and traffic cams.

Mandatory evacs ordered on the south side of Highway 24 for Green Mtn Falls, Chipita Park and Cascade.

The El Paso County Sheriff's office is ordering evacuations along Highway 24, this time for the southern portion of Hwy 24 for Cascade, Chipita Park and Green Mountain Falls.

Evacuation centers are at Cheyenne Mt. High School, 1200 Cresta, where several hundred people slept on cots overnight and at the Woodland Park High School.

Manitou Springs remains under evacuation orders and Crystal Park is being evacuated this morning.

No new evacuations have been called for in Colorado Springs.

Large animals can be taken to the Norris Penrose Equestrian Center, 1405 W. Rio Grande off of 8th Street.

The El Paso County Sheriff's office announces that evacuations are continuing in Manitou Springs, including Crystal Park and all areas north of Manitou Avenue, then the rest of the city.

Evacation centers are set up at Woodland Park High School and Cheyenne Mt. High School at 1200 Cresta.

Evacuations beginning for all of Manitou Springs, including Crystal Park. Evacs will start north of manitou ave.

Please do not drop off goods donations at the fire command post. That is a request being made by the Colorado Springs Fire Department

They say while they appreciate the sentiment, they do not currently have the capacity to accept donations of goods there.

Those wanting to help can make monetary donations at www.RedCross.org. Monetary donations will stay in this community.

Evacuation area closest to Colorado Springs

The Waldo Canyon Fire is now at 2,000 acres with 0% containment. No structures have been reported damaged or destroyed and no injuries have been reported.

An 8 p.m. news conference revealed that 4 tankers a helicopter and air attack plane have been working the fire into the evening. No air support will be available at night and firefighters will maintain their positions for structure protection.

Erratic winds, hot temperatures, very low humidities and very rugged terrain have made it a difficult fire to fight so far.

Sunday, similar weather conditions are in the forecast.

Mandatory evacuations continue north of Highway 24 from Cascade to Waldo Canyon, Cedar Heights subdivision, and west of 30th from Gateway (Garden of Gods) northward to Chuck Wagon area including the Rampart Range Road area..then voluntary evacuations northward to the AFA. Mandatory evaucations are in effect until 8 o'clock Sunday night.

Garden of the Gods Park, Cave of the Winds, Cog Railway and Pikes Peak will all be closed Sunday.

Evacuation centers are open at Woodland Park High School and Cheyenne Mt. High School at 1200 Cresta Rd.

Large animals can be brought to the Norris Penrose Equestrian Center, 1045 W. Rio Grande Street off of 8th Street.

Fire Officials now say the Waldo Canyon Fire is at 2000 acres with zero containment.

360 fire personnel are working the Waldo Canyon Fire, more are on the way.

No structures are threatened and there have been no injuries so far.

No structures have burned

Around 30 horses evacuated from the fire zone have a safe shelter at the stables at the Norris Penrose Events Center and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office says there is room for at least 170 more. The emergency animal shelter open mid-afternoon Saturday and volunteers with the Kit Carson Riding Club and other members of the community have stopped by to lend a hand. At this point the sheriff's office says they do not need any more volunteers, feed or other donations. The stables will remain open throughout the duration of the evacuation. Evacuees in need of shelter for their horses can bring them to the events center at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd, in Colorado Springs. Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Many people are helping by offering a place for evacuated animals.

Large animals can be taken to Norris-Penrose on Rio Grande. If you have a horse or stock trailer and can help move horses and livestock please call the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region at (719) 473-1741. Small animals can be taken to HSPPR on Abbott Ln near the 8th Street Walmart.

Carefree Cats would like to offer their help for those in need for shelter for small pets. If any help is needed please call
649-2320
649-0477
596-3827

Lucky Dog Central 4401 Mark Dabling Blvd. is taking dogs free of boarding costs. For info call (719)599-9663.

Lucky Dog South at 2801 Janitell Road is taking dogs and cats free of boarding charges. For info call (719)527-9663

Powers Pet Emergency at 5956 Stetson Hills Blvd please call (719)473-0482

Bear Creek Veterinary Care is providing shelter for smaller animals (960 Pico Point). They can take16 more dogs and cats and any small caged animals.

All Breed Rescue is accepting dogs at 20 Mount View Ln (719) 264-6460

If you had to evacuate, what should you take? The Red Cross has this list to consider:

• Water-one gallon per person, per day (3­day supply)
• Food-non­perishable, easy­to­prepare items (3­day supply)
  
• Flashlight
  
• Battery­powered or hand­crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
  
• Extra batteries
  
• First aid kit
  
• Medications (7­day supply) and medical items
  
• Multi­purpose tool
  
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
  
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)
  
• Cell phone with chargers
  
• Family and emergency contact information
  
• Extra cash
  
• Emergency blanket
  
• Map(s) of the area
  
• Other essential items that could not be replaced if they were destroyed

For more information, click here

The Waldo Canyon Fire (formerly called the Pyramid Mt. Fire) has now increased to 1,000 acres.

A Type 1 team from the federal government is taking over the mangement of the fire.

Authorities said the fire broke out around 12 p.m. although white smoke had been reported in the area the night before.

Mandatory evacuations continue for areas north of Highway 24 from Cascade to Waldo Canyon, Cedar Heights subdivision, west of 30th Street from Gateway (near Garden of the Gods) north to the Chuck Wagon area.

Voluntary evacuations are in effect from north of the Chuck Wagon area up to the Air Force Academy.

Garden of the Gods Park is closed.

Several air tankers and helicopters have been dropping fire retardant and water on the fire.

Fighterfighters are challenged by erratic winds and steep terrain.

Cascade, Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs firefighters have been working the fire along with crews from the Springer Fire near Lake George.

Red Cross shelters have been set up in the Woodland Park High School and Cheyenne Mt. High School, 1200 Cresta Rd.

Large Animals can be taken to the Norris Penrose Equestrian Center off of 8th Street in Colorado Springs at 1045 W. Rio Grande Street.

Cash donations are being accepted by the Pikes Peak Red Cross, the Humane Society and the Pikes Peak United Way.

Acording to the El Paso County Sheriff, a call center has been set up to answer non-emergency questions regarding the Waldo Canyon fire.

That number is 719-955-0742.

The businesses in this strip mall at Centennial and Vindicator are closed as the fire moves further north just over the Rampart Range.

The Colorado Springs fire department has tweeted a correction to the evacuations for the west side of Colorado Springs.

Now voluntary evacutions are in effect for Mountain Shadows area west of 30th street north of Chuckwagon, Allegheny east to I-25 north to Air Force.

200 people are being evacuated from the Glen Eyrie Conference Center as a precaution according to tweets from the CSFD.

Manadatory evacuations include all residents west of 30th Street from Gateway, near Garden of the Gods park, north to Centennial Boulevard, and the Mountain Shadows neighborhood from Centennial to Chuck Wagon Road, Cedar Heights.

Some residents living in the Mountain Shadows area on Colorado Springs are starting to gather some valuables in case the Pyramid Fire comes over the mountain towards their homes. As of mid afternoon they are doing it voluntarily as a precaution.