Fires continue to break out throughout the Pikes Peak region as a massive effort continues to contain the Waldo Canyon Fire in El Paso County.
Another fire was discovered near Lake George. The Springer Fire, which started June 17 in Elevenmile Canyon, is 100 percent contained. Like the more than 20 other fires that have been reported in the past week, the new fire is also suspicious.
Also, John Rakowski, president of the Lake George Charter School Board, stated in an email sent about 12:40 p.m. on June 25 that a woman was seen starting a fire on Bear Creek Court off Trail Creek Road. Residents chased her and she drove away in a blue Subaru.
Authorities are asking that all suspicious activities be reported to local law enforcement agencies. Officials said these small fires draw resources away from the major firefighting efforts, and with the current extreme fire danger they could easily blow up into another major fire.
U.S. Forest Service fire investigators are asking that people who were hiking in the Waldo Canyon and Pyramid Mountain area on June 22-23 to call 719-477-4205. If they leave their name and contact number, an investigator will call them back. Investigators are unable, at this time, to get to the area where the fire started.
On June 25, about 30 people were gathered at the Red Cross evacuation center at Summit Elementary School in Divide. The center was moved from Woodland Park High School to Summit when a pre-evacuation notice was sent to those living between Safeway and the county line from Edlowe Road to Rampart Range Road. A spokesperson for the Red Cross said the approximately 40 people who were at the high school helped move the center out using their own vehicles.
On Monday, Green Mountain Falls Mayor Lorrie Worthey visited the center to encourage residents. She said five families refused to leave Green Mountain Falls and that the town marshal is checking on them. Green Mountain Fall Director of Public Works Rob McArthur is patrolling in the evacuated town while firefighters from Chipita Park, Green Mountain Falls and Cascade concentrate on structure protection.
The Waldo Canyon Fire has crept close to U.S. 24 near Cascade but, so far, fire crews have been able to keep it from crossing to the south side of the highway.
Drivers who see other drivers throwing cigarette butts out of their vehicles can call *CSP on their cell phones to report them.