Fremont County officials ordered mandatory on Friday afternoon, including Penrose.
The evacuation area includes homes within 2 miles of Fremont County Road F45 and Colorado 115, sheriff’s officials said at 2:25 p.m. People living within 3 miles of the area are on a pre-evacuation notice.
Residents, pets and livestock can evacuate to , 6639 Colorado 115, the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.
The wildfire grew from 670 acres to 1,067 acres on Friday and is burning on the southwest edge of Fort Carson, according to fire officials. in both directions near the fire, from mile 18 just north of Penrose to mile 39 near Rock Creek Park.
The 24 fire started Wednesday and grew rapidly Thursday because of strong winds, said Dee McNutt, spokeswoman for the Army post. There is zero containment of the fire.
Crews from El Paso County and several other agencies are helping Fort Carson crews, McNutt said.
The fire is burning on training land southeast of the main post. No buildings are threatened.
McNutt said the fire started Wednesday on the east side of the highway. The fire was considered about 50% contained on Thursday.
“Then around noon the wind kicked up and the weather conditions changed and it jumped our line. It got larger yesterday afternoon,” McNutt said.
The cause of the fire isn’t known, McNutt said.
This is a developing story.
