Colorado Springs Fire Department Deploys Crews to Combat Western State Wildfires

Strategic Insights -

Colorado Springs firefighters are battling raging wildfires across the western part of the state, with two crews having deployed to the Turner Gulch and Lee fires, which have burned over 160,000 acres. The Turner Gulch fire, which started on July 10, has scorched 28,792 acres and is 51% contained, while the Lee fire has become the fifth-largest wildfire in Colorado history, with 116,859 acres burned as of Tuesday. Colorado Springs Fire Department crews have provided structural protection and helped safeguard livestock on evacuated properties, with multiple structures saved from burning.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Colorado Springs Fire Department has deployed a four-person crew to Mesa County to battle the Turner Gulch fire, which has burned 28,792 acres as of Tuesday evening.
  • The crew is providing structural protection and will serve as an initial attack team on any new fires in the area.
  • The Turner Gulch blaze is 51% contained, with two days passing since the initial crew's return from the site.
  • Three CSFD firefighters and a deputy fire marshal are in Rio Blanco County, where the Lee and Elk fires have burned more than 130,000 acres.
  • The Lee blaze had become the fifth-largest wildfire in Colorado history, with 116,859 acres burned as of late Tuesday.
  • The Elk fire burned 14,549 acres and was 30% contained on Tuesday.
  • CSFD has saved multiple structures from burning and has helped safeguard livestock on evacuated properties.
  • The Colorado Springs crew is part of a larger group of firefighters who have deployed to 16 wildfires in eight states in 2024.
  • The CSFD deployments, which started last week, are expected to last two weeks.

Statistics:

  • 160,000 acres burned across the western part of the state (as reported by officials).
  • 24,792 acres burned in the Turner Gulch fire as of Tuesday (according to InciWeb).
  • 51% containment of the Turner Gulch blaze (as reported by incident officials).
  • 116,859 acres burned in the Lee fire as of late Tuesday.
  • 14,549 acres burned in the Elk fire as of Tuesday.
  • 30% containment of the Elk fire (as reported on Tuesday).
  • 16 wildfires in eight states that CSFD deployed to in 2024 (as per official statement).

Sources:

  • Official statement from Ashley Franco, Colorado Springs Fire Department spokeswoman.
  • InciWeb, an incident management website.
  • The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.), a local news outlet.