The Beaver Creek fire burning in the foothills north of the Air Force Academy stands at 60 acres and is 0 percent contained this afternoon.
The fire started Friday afternoon and the cause is yet to be determined. Flames could be seen more than 10 miles north and traffic on I-25 slowed as drivers gazed at the plume of smoke.
Crews report they are making progress in containing the fire, Ralph Bella with the National Forest Service said. On the ground, 125 firefighters are working the fire.
“Crews are out to help protect structures, just in case,” Bella said. There are no evacuations in effect and the closest structures are a quarter-mile away, Bella said.
From the air, a Single Engine Air Tanker, SEAT, is dropping retardant on the fire and a type-1 and a type-3 helicopter dropped buckets of water.
Afternoon thunderstorms are forecast for the area, but the fire activity is low, Bella said.
Crews will provide an acerage and containment update around 8p.m. this evening.
Two National Forest Roads are closed in the area near Mount Herman Road to protect the fire crews and public.
The National Forest Service is warning there will be increased traffic in the area and for people to use caution.
