A fire that began around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday north of Rock Creek Canyon Road near Cheyenne Mountain was at 1.5 acres as of late morning, according to an update by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office — but as of 12:30 p.m. a pre-evacuation notice issued previously had been lifted. 

Additional land and aerial resources for what is now known as the Rock Creek fire had been requested, due to anticipated worsening weather conditions later in the afternoon. Expected high winds and low-precipitation thunderstorms could push the fire further into parts of the forest choked with “heavy fuels,” dry brush and trees.

A pre-evacuation notice was issued early Wednesday for those in a 1.5 mile radius of Rock Creek Canyon Rd., but as of mid-day, firefighting efforts appeared to be gaining an edge on the wildfire. Smoke from the fire that had been visible earlier in the day dissipated after water drops from two helicopters.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but lightning activity in the area last night was reported to be intense. 

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office posted the following statement to social media at about 12:30 a.m.:

“A PRE-EVACUATION WARNING has been issued for 1.5 mile radius of Rock Creek Canyon Rd due to a FIRE near 1/3 mile north of 1350 Rock Creek Canyon Rd. Be prepared to leave. If you are in danger, EVACUATE NOW. If you need extra time or help to evacuate, consider leaving now.”

The wildfire is burning on the southwest edge of Cheyenne Mountain State Park in the area of Rock Creek Canyon Road west of Colorado 115, outside of city limits, the Colorado Springs Fire Department stated on social media.

As of 8 a.m., Southwest Hwy 115 Fire Protection District was on scene, alongside other partner agencies.

In a social media post about 1:30 a.m., Colorado Springs Fire Department estimated the fire at about 5 acres, and said it was burning in “heavy fuels.” A CSFD drone has been assisting with aerial assessment, and the fire department is coordinating closely with county resources.

Fire department PIO Ashley Franco said Wednesday morning that the Rock Creek fire is unrelated to a fire CSFD crews responded to early Tuesday night at the park, and reported to have extinguished.

Click or tap here for a further look at mapping of the pre-evacuation area.

Tuesday fire

A lightning-sparked fire Tuesday evening at Cheyenne Mountain State Park was quickly snuffed out by crews from the Colorado Springs Fire Department.

According to a Fire Department social media post shortly before 6 p.m., its firefighters along with resources from Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station responded to the grass fire on the park’s southwest side.

“Firefighters have made it to the fire,” the Fire Department stated on X around 6:40 p.m. “They confirm 1/10 of an acre, no active fire. Smoke is still visible as crews mop up.”

Callers to the Fire Department reported seeing lightning in the area before they saw smoke.

Crews used a drone to help locate the fire’s precise location, which appeared up Cheyenne Mountain from Pine Oaks Road and Pine Oaks Lane.

Cheyenne Mountain State Park is west of Fort Carson and Colorado 115 on the city’s southwest side.

The grass fire was the latest in a series of fires around Colorado amid drought conditions. The massive Aspen Acres fire in Pueblo and Custer counties has burned nearly 94,000 acres.

Containment of the Aspen Acres fire grew Tuesday from 12 to 16%, though officials warned fire activity remained dynamic. Thousands of people have been displaced from the fire that started June 29.