West Monument Creek Fire burns on the U.S. Air Force Academy
The West Monument Creek Fire started on the U.S. Air Force Academy Sunday, Feb. 25 and continues to burn Monday. As of 4 p.m. Feb. 26, the fire had burned 168 acres and was not fully contained. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Crews from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, U.S. Forest Service and Fort Carson Directorate of Emergency Services fire departments continued Monday, Feb. 26 to fight the West Monument Creek Fire.
As of Monday evening the fire had burned 168 acres and was 50% contained.
The installation remains closed to the general public until further notice. The Child Development Centers and Military Treatment Facility are scheduled to reopen for regular hours Tuesday. If the situation changes due to fire or weather conditions, updates will be released Tuesday morning. The Visitor Center remains closed, and some road closures remain in effect.
The fire was first spotted about 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25 on the south end of the Academy, in an area west of the Pine Valley housing area. Crews from the Academy and Colorado Springs Fire Department began battling the blaze after first spotting it.
“This has truly been a team effort from across the region, and a huge thank you to everyone on the front line that is supporting this response,” said Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, U.S. Air Force Academy superintendent. “We are so impressed by the teamwork that has gone into keeping our community and Academy safe.”
Fire Station 1 responds to the West Monument Creek Fire that started on the U.S. Air Force Academy Sunday, Feb. 25 and continues to burn Monday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Rayna Grace)
A UH-60 Black Hawk and two CH-47 Chinook helicopters dropped more than 14,000 gallons of water, targeting hot spots in the affected area.
U.S. Forest Service provided a 10-person hand crew and several management resources. The hand crew is working in steep terrain to clear grass and brush to prevent further spread of the fire.
CSFD has provided two Type 6 brush trucks, one Type 3 wildland engine, and dozens of personnel to assist. Their Special Operations Unit drone provided up-to-the minute aerial updates to the incident commander when other aircraft were unable to fly due to weather.
An Army CH-47 Chinook from Fort Carson, Colorado drops water on the West Monument Creek Fire at the U.S. Air Force Academy Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
The Academy’s Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) remained operational Monday evening to provide support to Academy military membesr, families and government civilians seeking assistance.
More photos are available on Flickr.