COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado — Colorado Springs firefighters were called to multiple grass fires along the I-25 corridor on the north side of the city Sunday afternoon. One of the largest fires was located on the east side of the interstate near the Interquest Parkway exit.
#ColoradoSpringsFire CSFD and mutual aid depts working a large grass fire near eastside of I 25/ Interquest. Media staging North Side of Scheels. Evacuations ordered for the hotels and businesses in the area
— CSFD PIO (@CSFDPIO) December 12, 2021
Firefighters evacuated hotels and businesses in the area while they worked to contain the flames.
Huge brush fire by Interquest in Colorado Springs, spreading fast but crews there putting it out. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/zWm8YM7Xnx
— Justin Jenkins 🌀 (@justinjenkins) December 12, 2021
The fires all began at around 12:45 p.m. A containment line was established about an hour later. Investigators with the Colorado Springs Fire Department believe they were started accidentally, likely by a mechanical issue with a vehicle that produced sparks.
#ColoradoSpringsFire CSFD Fire Investigators have ruled the cause of the Interquest grass fire as accidental, probable mechanical issue with a vehicle that produced sparks. Multiple ignition points along the interstate. Crews will be on scene until midnight.
— CSFD PIO (@CSFDPIO) December 13, 2021
The National Weather Service issued red-flag warnings for multiple counties in Southern Colorado Sunday due to the dry and windy conditions.
Personnel from the Colorado Springs Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff's Office, US Air Force Academy Fire Department, Black Forest Fire and Rescue Protection District, Monument Police Department, Palmer Lake Police Department, TriLakes Monument Fire District, and American Medical Response all supported the emergency response.
