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Academy firefighters respond to Wild Horse fire at Fort Carson

Story by Ray Bowden, Oct. 14, 2020

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Firefighters at the Air Force Academy were among several agencies to respond to a wildfire burning on Fort Carson that blackened hundreds of acres, Oct. 13.

The Wild Horse Fire still burned Tuesday near Highway 115 south of Fort Carson’s Gate 6, but no structures or personnel were in danger, according to a Fort Carson News release.

Six firefighters assigned to the Academy’s 10th Civil Engineering Squadron responded to Fort Carson on Sunday to work with other agencies to keep the fire from crossing Highway 115, and provided water to fight the blaze.

The news release from Fort Carson indicates the fire likely began Oct. 12 on the west side of Highway 115.

“We’re monitoring the fire operations and ready to provide resources if required,” Prettyman said. “So far, the incident command team has not requested anymore support from the Academy.”

The Academy firefighters returned to the school early Monday morning.

By Oct. 13, firefighters assigned to Fort Carson had established a perimeter and were focusing on “hot spots,” according to another news release from the base.

Along with the Academy firefighters, fire experts from the Cimarron Hills Fire Department, the Colorado Springs Fire Department, Colorado Springs Utilities, El Paso County Wildland, Palmer Lake Fire department, the Security Fire Department, Southwest Highway 115 Fire Protection District, Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District, the U.S. Forest Service and the Wescott Fire Protection District responded.