Firefighters stopped a wildfire in northern Colorado Springs amid wind gusts up to 50 mph on Friday, after residents in a nearby subdivision were told to evacuate.
About 100 firefighters responded to the Silver Charm fire, which burned between 3 and 5 acres, and crews were working to find and extinguish any hot spots, Colorado Springs Fire Chief Randy Royal said at 3 p.m. No structures were reported lost, he said.
The cause of the fire was linked to a “welding incident.” Royal said a summons was issued to the person responsible.
Multiple fire trucks were sent to the fire, near Interstate 25 and Interquest Parkway, about 12:45 p.m., the Colorado Springs Fire Department said in a tweet. The “heavy fire” was burning in an area with “heavy fuels,” the department said.
Seventy Colorado Springs police officers helped notify residents in The Farm subdivision to seek safety, Royal said. Evacuation orders were lifted about 4 p.m.
Flames consumed a metal commercial building, but caused no damage, Royal said.
A multi-mission aircraft will survey the area to identify remaining hot spots, Royal said. Crews will monitor the fire overnight, as winds are expected to persist.
Those evacuated from the fire, which burned behind The Great Wolf Lodge hotel and water park, were directed to Pine Creek High School.
Winds near the fire were recorded between 20 to 35 mph, with gusts exceeding gusts 50 mph, the National Weather Service in Pueblo said.
Videos posted to social media showed tall flames and plumes of dark, gray smoke near several trees and grass fields. The humidity levels near the fire were “bone dry” at 5%, NWS said.
Fire agencies and weather experts warned of “extremely critical” fire conditions Friday due to high winds, warm temperatures and dry vegetation.
A single spark could spread rapidly and be difficult if not impossible to control along the Front Range, the National Weather Service said.
An estimate of the size of the fire was not immediately available.