Firefighters continue to battle high winds and dry air as they work to contain a wildfire burning south of Colorado Springs, which grew to 4,900 acres overnight.
Initial reports of the Hammer fire around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday estimated the fire at roughly 200 acres, but amid strong gusts, the fire exploded to more than 4,200 acres within hours, prompting evacuations for the unincorporated community of Hanover near Fountain, Sgt. Kurt Smith with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said.
The evacuations remain in effect Thursday as persistent winds and more dry air are forecast through the day, Smith said.
While overnight aerial crews dropped water on the flames, firefighters on the ground will continue to work to contain the fire throughout the day Thursday, Smith said. About 10 agencies, along with the sheriff’s wildland fire unit, are on scene, focusing on the northern and eastern edges of the fire.
As of Thursday, there is zero containment on the fire. No structures have been lost, Smith said.
Hanover School District 28 will remain closed Thursday due to the fire.
Smith warned that evacuation orders can change at any time, especially due to strong, shifting winds. He encouraged residents to sign up for emergency alerts through the county’s 911 authority.
There is no immediate threat to Fountain, according to the town’s fire chief, Devin Graham. The fire is burning several miles southeast from Fountain and the winds are expected to push flames farther east and northeast.