UPDATE: West Monument Creek Fire 75% contained
UPDATE: TUESDAY 2/27/2024 1:45 p.m.
(U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.) — The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) reports that as of 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, the West Monument Creek Fire is about 75% contained. The area has been moved out of a Red Flag Warning due to ongoing precipitation and the increase in relative humidity. Fire crews will remain on the scene to address any remaining areas of concern.
UPDATE: West Monument Creek Fire 50% contained
UPDATE: TUESDAY 2/27/2024 6 a.m.
The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) said overnight there was no significant growth or changes in the West Monument Creek Fire. As of 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 the fire remained at 168 acres and 50% contained.
USAFA said fire crews from USAFA and the U.S. Forest Service will continue to contain the fire and address hot spots throughout the day. Air assets from Fort Carson remain on call in case they are needed.
For Tuesday USAFA will remain open only to DOD ID cardholders, contractors, and Academy District 20 students. However, the Air Force vs. Boise State men’s basketball game at 7 p.m. in Clune Arena opens to the public at 4 p.m.
The Child Development Centers and Military Treatment Facility will be open for regular hours. If the situation changes USAFA will send out updates.
UPDATE: MONDAY 2/26/2024 7:43 p.m.
The Air Force Academy Fire Chief stated that as of 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 26, the West Monument Creek Fire was 50% contained.
USAFA: West Monument Creek Fire no longer spreading
UPDATE: MONDAY 2/26/2024 6:28 p.m.
In an update, USAFA said Air Academy High School students and staff will have a Synchronous eLearning Day, while Douglass Valley Elementary School (DVES) will be open to students and staff.
Other D20 services impacted will resume normal operations including:
Before and after-school care provided through Champions at DVES.
Bus pick-up and drop-off at DVES.
D20 busses will be allowed to pick up students who reside on the U.S. Air Force Academy and need transportation to D20 Schools and Special Education programs occurring off-base.
MONDAY 2/26/2024 5:23 p.m.
While the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) will remain closed to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 27, the fire burning on the south side of the property is no longer spreading, according to an update from USAFA.
USAFA said in a press release that multiple agencies continue to fight the West Monument Creek Fire that sparked on Sunday, and fire crews have managed to keep the fire from spreading further as of Monday afternoon.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Crews battle West Monument Creek Fire by air and ground resources
A UH-60 Black Hawk and two CH-47 Chinook helicopters dropped more than 14,000 gallons of water on Monday, targeting hot spots in the affected area. The U.S. Forest Service provided a 10-person hand crew and several management resources. USAFA said the hand crew is working in steep terrain to clear grass and brush to prevent further spread of the fire.
Courtesy: CSFD, crews show view from drone of wildfire burning on USAFA Courtesy: U.S. Air Force Academy Courtesy: United States Air Force Academy Courtesy: United States Air Force Academy Courtesy: Colorado Springs Fire Department
No evacuation orders have been issued to Academy residents, and the pre-evacuation notice for
residents in Douglass Valley and Pine Valley housing has been cancelled.
The Academy will remain closed to the public on Tuesday, however it remains open to DOD ID cardholders, contractors, and District 20 students. Academy operations continue as scheduled, and the Child Development Centers and Military Treatment Facility are planned to be open for regular hours.
USAFA said if the situation changes due to the fire or weather, updates will be communicated Tuesday morning. Some road closures remain in effect and all personnel should follow directions from Security Forces.
According to incident commander Fire Chief Ronald Prettyman, the fire is no longer spreading, and forecasted precipitation on Tuesday will help provide some relief for crews. USAFA said the footprint of the fire has not significantly changed since Monday morning, though the fire is not fully contained.
“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 USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark. “We are so impressed by the teamwork that has gone into keeping our community and Academy safe.”
USAFA said the Academy’s Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) remains operational to provide support to family members, military and government civilians seeking assistance. The EFAC can be reached at 719-333-3444, or 10fss.fsh.afrc@us.af.mil.
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