Editor's Note: This article is no longer being updated in real time. Click here for the latest information on the 24 Fire.
UPDATE: TUESDAY AT 8:30 P.M.
The fire was caused by a vehicle malfunction along Highway 115 and ignited the grass, which spread quickly. It is now 30% contained.
- Watch News5's latest coverage on the fire below:
- Watch the town hall in its entirety below:
Highway 115 remains closed Tuesday evening.
- Watch News5's coverage of the closure below:
UPDATE: TUESDAY AT 11:30 A.M.
A Fort Carson spokesperson released the following statement regarding the fire:
“As of Tuesday morning, 24 Fire control lines are currently holding the perimeter, with total acreage remaining at approximately 7,385. Containment remains at 24%. A reminder that containment reflects the control line’s strength, not an indication that the fire is out. A fire is only fully contained when crews are confident the fire will not be able to spread beyond the perimeter.
With warm weather expected over the next few days, ground crews are working to thicken control lines, increasing both width and depth.
A townhall will be held for the residents impacted by the 24 Fire’s response Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Penrose Elementary School’s gymnasium. Media are welcome to attend.”
UPDATE: MONDAY AT 8:00 P.M.
The fire is now 24% contained.
- Watch News5's latest coverage of the fire below:
UPDATE: MONDAY AT 2:15 P.M.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office says that the pre-evacuation warning for the area of Highway 115 and Sandy Creek Ranch Heights has been lifted.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has LIFTED the PRE-EVACUATION WARNING for HWY 115/SANDY CREEK RANCH HTS. It is safe to return to the area.
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) March 23, 2026
Thank you for your cooperation. https://t.co/vw25FqsVa6
- Watch News5's 6 p.m. update Tuesday below:
The Fremont County Sheriff's Office says that residents who were evacuated can now return to their homes, as all evacuation orders have now been downgraded to pre-evacuation orders.
The area under evacuation in Fremont County was within a two-mile radius around County Road F45 and Highway 115, which remains in effect, as does a three-mile pre-evacuation order.
UPDATE: MONDAY AT 9:50 A.M.
As of Monday morning, the Colorado Office of Emergency Management says that the result of fire crews conducting back-burning operations has pushed the fire to an estimated 7,385 acres in size.
A Fort Carson Official confirmed Monday morning that back-burning operations have been successful in getting all control lines connected. The fire remains 0% contained. For those impacted by the Highway 115 closure, expect it to remain closed at least through Friday, but this will be evaluated daily according to Fort Carson.
Sunday evening, fire crews were successfully able to tie in all control lines, boxing in the fire. As of this morning, control lines remain strong. Due to a combination of backburn operations and fire activity, the 24 Fire along Highway 115 now stands at approximately 7,385 acres and 0% containment. Backburning is a technique in which crews deliberately set fires along firebreaks in order to reduce potential fuel for the wildfire, slowing or preventing the spread of flames.
Smoke will continue to be visible in the area as crews work to contain the fire. Highway 115 is expected to remain closed at least through Friday, but will be revaluated daily.
We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
The acreage increased to nearly 7,400 acres at 1 a.m. due to back burning operations.
— CO - Emergency Mgmt (@COEmergency) March 23, 2026
The fire, which has been burning on Fort Carson land, has caused mandatory evacuations within a two-mile radius around County Road F45 and Highway 115, which remain in effect, as does a three-mile pre-evacuation order. Highway 115 remains closed until further notice.
In El Paso County, the pre-evacuation warning issued Saturday evening remains in effect for Highway 115 and Sandy Creek Ranch Heights.
Many of you shared your images and videos with us. Check out the Time-lapse Video Viewer, Holly Lymon from Cañon City shared of the fire on Thursday
Have an image or video you want to share? Put it in the gallery below.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
UPDATE: SUNDAY AT 6:45 P.M.
The fire continues to grow and is at 4,605 acres and is 0% contained according to the Fremont County Sheriff's Office. Fire crews have been focused on ensuring the western fire line holds so the fire does not jump Highway 115.
The Fremont County Sheriff's office says that the mandatory evacuations within a two-mile radius around County Road F45 and Highway 115 remain in effect, as does a three-mile pre-evacuation order. Highway 115 remains closed until further notice.
Sunday, Fort Carson crews worked to conduct a back burn in an effort to help contain the blaze.
UPDATE: SUNDAY AT 12:00 P.M.
The Fremont County Sheriff's Office says the fire has grown to 4,595 acres, but did not mention any changes in containment.
Fort Carson officials say that the weather looks favorable for the fire conditions; however, there's still the risk that high winds threaten response operations.
There are currently two heavy aircraft, two super scoopers, and 170 firefighters from local, state, and regional agencies assisting with firefighting efforts.
Ground crews continue to strengthen control lines while working to monitor/extinguish hot spots.
Fort Carson officials say no donations are needed at this time.
- Watch our most recent coverage from Fremont County on Saturday
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has issued new pre-evacuation notices for the 24 Fire on Saturday.
Anyone in the Sandy Creek Ranch Heights area along Highway 115 should be prepared to leave. This is north of the fire, near Southwest Highway 115 Fire Protection's station.
If you or your home are in danger now, evacuate immediately.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has issued a PRE-EVACUATION WARNING for HWY 115/SANDY CREEK RANCH HTS due to a FIRE near MM24 HWY 115. Be prepared to leave. If you are in danger, EVACUATE NOW. If you need extra time or help to evacuate, consider leavin https://t.co/ZOIXB65hDK
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) March 22, 2026
EVACUATION ORDERS
A 2-mile evacuation order had been issued on Friday around County Road F45 and State Highway 115 via Everbridge.
The Fremont County Sheriff's Office has posted an updated evacuation map as of Saturday at 11:35 a.m. That remains in effect.
PRE-EVACUATION ORDERS
A 3-mile pre-evacuation notice has also been issued for the surrounding area.
Officials said on Friday morning that an evacuation center has been established at Pathfinder Park in Florence.
People who need assistance, including animal support, are encouraged to go there and speak with the Red Cross or Community Animal Response Team.
Road Closures
Saturday at 10:00 a.m.: Highway 115 is closed at K Street. All other closures are still in effect.
Friday at 2:45 p.m.: Highway 115 closure remains in place between Mile Point 18 and Mile Point 39.
Friday at 5:30 a.m.: Highway 115 closure remains in place between County F45 (3 miles north of the Penrose area) and Cherokee Drive (near Fort Carson) from Mile Point 21 to Mile Point 39.
Thursday at 5:45 p.m.: The Hwy 115 closure has expanded, and now includes both directions between County Road F45 (3 miles north of the Penrose area) and Cherokee Drive (near Fort Carson) from Mile Point 21 to Mile Point 39.
Thursday at 4:45 p.m.: The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) says that northbound and southbound Highway 115 between County Road F45 and Barrett Road is closed due to fire activity. Drivers in the area should expect slower speeds.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
UPDATE: SATURDAY AT 6:15 P.M.
Crews continue to battle a wildfire along Highway 115 throughout the weekend. As of a 5:00 p.m. briefing on Saturday, the fire had grown to 1,923 acres and is 0% contained according to the Fremont County Sheriff's Office.
Officials said the fire remains on the east side of Highway 115. There will be no updates from the sheriff's office until Sunday morning, unless something changes significantly.
The fire began to put up large amounts of smoke across much of the Pikes Peak region on Saturday as temperatures climbed.
There are 125 personnel from local, state, and federal agencies assisting in the fight as of the last update.
The Fremont County Sheriff's Office says the fire is continuing to grow into their area and has issued mandatory evacuation orders in the Salt Canyon area.
Fort Carson officials said on Friday afternoon that crews had a good handle on the fire until the humidity caused the fire to jump the crews' fire line.
However, the fire is still located on the east side of Hwy 115, but high winds are supposed to begin around 2:00 p.m. Saturday.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
In the latest update from Friday morning, Fort Carson says the fire had grown to approximately 1,067 acres, with no containment still. They say that approximately 120 personnel from six agencies are working to keep the fire on the east side of the highway.
In a statement from Saturday morning, Fort Carson officials said that the fire line held well throughout the night, and the acreage and containment have had little change. There's no official update on the fire's size or containment percentage.
- Watch: Fort Carson officials give an update on the '24' Fire burning along Hwy 115 on Friday afternoon
While the night operations to contain the fire along the southside proved to be effective, officials say that increasing wind, rising temperatures today and throughout the weekend will cause smoke plumes to be visible still.
There haven't been any injuries or damages reported.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) says that Brush Hollow State Wildlife Area near Penrose is closed to motorized boats, as firefighting helicopters are using the water to assist in containing the fire.
It's still open to hand-launched boats and recreation.
Fort Carson officials said late Thursday afternoon that the fire had traveled further onto Fort Carson land.
They say that the combination of dry, overgrown vegetation and unseasonably warm and windy weather has caused challenges for the crews working to contain the blaze.
The fire burned approximately 80 acres with 0% containment as of Thursday morning. By Thursday afternoon, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) estimated the fire perimeter had grown to 670 acres.
Multiple Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) units are assisting with containment efforts.
The fire began to put up a smoke plume on Thursday that could be seen from communities across Southern Colorado.
The fire, which started along Highway 115, was reported to have burned a total of 65 acres with 50% containment as of earlier Thursday, according to a Fort Carson official.
"...The Highway 115 fire at mile marker 24 has burned approximately 80 acres and is 50% contained."
The Fremont County Office of Emergency Management was the first to report the fire on Wednesday and said it was burning on Fort Carson land.
The fire continues to burn southeast onto Fort Carson land. The following statement was sent to our newsroom on Wednesday
At approximately 9:51 a.m., a fire that started along Highway 115 at mile marker 24 crossed onto Fort Carson land, igniting a wildland fire approximately 20 miles south of main post. The fire is approximately 15 acres in size and is highly visible from Highway 115. Fort Carson is now the lead on response efforts and is receiving aid from multiple agencies. No structures are in danger, and no injuries have been reported. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.At approximately 9:51 a.m., a fire that started along Highway 115 at mile marker 24 crossed onto Fort Carson land, igniting a wildland fire approximately 20 miles south of main post. The fire is approximately 15 acres in size and is highly visible from Highway 115. Fort Carson is now the lead on response efforts and is receiving aid from multiple agencies. No structures are in danger, and no injuries have been reported. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
- Video shared with our newsroom shows the blaze along Highway 115
The Fremont County Sheriff's Office says Fort Carson is officially the lead on this fire. Deputies were on scene on Wednesday, conducting traffic control when the fire first broke out.
Crews are actively battling the fire and ask you not to call 911 if you see smoke in the area.
Many of you shared your images with us. Have an image or video you want to share? Put it in the gallery below.
Custer, El Paso, Fremont, and Teller Counties use Everbridge to reach community members during an emergency. To sign up in Custer and Fremont Counties, click here. To sign up in El Paso and Teller Counties, click here.
The 911 authority says that a new partnership with the ReachWell app will allow Peak Alerts to integrate seamlessly and allow for 130 different language translations. Reachwell does not require users to make an additional account or provide personal information to receive the alerts.
Once you have downloaded the ReachWell app, follow these steps to get Peak Alerts through the App:
1. Download the ReachWell App wherever you download apps or visit rwell.us/ElPasoCO and accept push notifications
2. Select Preferred Language
3. Add Peak Alerts
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