Firefighters will continue work Saturday to douse a 60-acre blaze that blackened the foothills north of Air Force Academy on Friday afternoon, sending plumes of smoke into the air that could be seen for miles.
The blaze, named the Beaver Creek fire, quickly grew, distracting drivers traveling on Interstate 25 through nearby Monument and even causing a stir in downtown Colorado Springs, where flames could be seen from the fire that was more than 10 miles to the north.
Water and fire retardant dropped from a firefighting plane and helicopter slowed the blaze by nightfall, but authorities remained wary that it could make another run when the temperature heats up Saturday.
“We’re not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination, but the fire is laying down,” said El Paso County sheriff’s Lt. Lari Sevene. “Hopefully they’ll be able to knock it down pretty quick in the morning.”
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