Waldo Canyon Fire, Colorado Springs

Map of Waldo fire, Colorado Springs

Map of Waldo fire, Colorado Springs

The map of the Waldo Canyon fire above shows heat detected by a satellite at 3:35 a.m. June 24. 

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UPDATE at 2:35 p.m. MT, June 24:

The map below shows information about the fire’s location from two sources. The red line is the product of an infrared mapping flight by an aircraft at 11:07 p.m. June 23. The squares with the dots represent heat detected by a satellite about four hours later at 3:35 a.m. June 24.

Map - Waldo fire

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UPDATE at 12:52 p.m. MT, June 24

The Denver Post reported at 12:16 p.m. today that:

…Air resources consist of a helicopter with four helicopters on order. Two heavy air tankers and additional resources are on the way.

Surely this can’t be correct, that there is only one helicopter and no air tankers working on the fire.

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UPDATE at 10:32 a.m. June 24:

We have confirmed that two Modular Airborne FireFighting Systems (MAFFS) C-130 air tankers have been activated. Jennifer Jones, a spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service, told us that the agency requested that the aircraft be in place between noon and 6 p.m. MT on Monday. This is the first time the MAFFS air tankers have been used this year.

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9:16 a.m. MT, June 24, 2012

The Waldo Canyon fire west of Colorado Springs has burned approximately 2,500 acres, according to the City of Colorado Springs in a 6:12 a.m. MT update. That site and InciWeb will provide detailed information about the fire, including evacuation notices. However, the InciWeb web site has been having problems, probably due to a large number of people trying to find information about the fire.

There are no reports of any structures being lost.

The map of the fire we have here shows heat detected by satellites at 3:35 a.m. MT, June 24. It shows the fire being less than two miles from the Kissing Camels golf course and very close to Manitou Springs.

Approximately 1,050 homes have been evacuated. Garden of the Gods Park and Garden of the Gods Visitor Center are closed.

A Type 1 Incident Management Team was ordered within a few hours of the first report of the fire. A Type 1 IMTeam is the largest and most qualified team that manages wildfires and other all-hazard incidents.

We are checking on an unconfirmed report that at least one military Modular Airborne FireFighting Systems (MAFFS) C-130 aircraft has been activated. Two are based at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs 11 miles from the Waldo Canyon fire. Through yesterday, none of the eight MAFFS around the country had been used on fires this year.

We will post more information about the Waldo Canyon fire later. Check back with us for more details.

Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Please read the commenting rules before you post a comment.

Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

12 thoughts on “Waldo Canyon Fire, Colorado Springs”

  1. i would like to know what the fire temperture might have been on 5 houses burnt across 6045 ashton pk.pl. colo springs. and if you can’t tell me where can i get the information i need.

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  2. in the area of 6045 ashton pk.pl. 5 houses were burnt down.i would like to know what temperture might have been during the fire. my house was about two hundred feet from the houses that burnt down.

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    1. Ron: Here is some information from our FAQ page, about temperatures of a vegetation fire.
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      An average surface fire on the forest floor might have flames reaching 1 meter in height and can reach temperatures of 800°C (1,472° F) or more. Under extreme conditions a fire can give off 10,000 kilowatts or more per meter of fire front. This would mean flame heights of 50 meters or more and flame temperatures exceeding 1200°C (2,192° F). (Information provided by Natural Resources Canada.)

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  3. I grew up in Woodland Park. Can anyone tell me how the fire is affecting my town?

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  4. Bern,
    You can follow El Paso County Sherrif and CSFD on Twitter and set them so you can get mobile alerts.

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  5. We’re here working at the KOA in Colorado Springs, CO. What is the best way to keep informed about the Waldo Canyon Fire/other fires that may demand an evacuation of our campground? Help! Bern

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  6. God bless all the firefighters and rescue people there. I am praying for all the people of Colorado. I wish you all well.

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  7. I live a mile from the JeffCo AirTanker base in Broomfield, and I’m up there quite a bit lately. As of noon today, all four heavy tankers (3 ConAir and 1 from Minden) working the High Park fire were redirected to Waldo Canyon. They’ll slurry up at Pueblo Depot and do short runs until they run low on fuel, then hop back up to JeffCo for refueling and slurry. Got this info from the JeffCo base manager, I don’t have his name, a real good guy who has been very informative with us spectators the past couple of weeks.

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  8. I’m in Colorado Springs and it is completely amazing what is happening. We are so very thankful for everyone fighting this wildfire. Some stats from the news conference this morning:
    2,000 acres growing at 1/4-1/2 miles per hour.
    Expected to be worse today with winds to the Southeast.
    Communities evacuated include Manitou Springs, Green Mountain Falls, Cascade, Chipita Park, and in Colorado Springs the Cedar Heights Community and areas North of there and West of 30th Street.
    Highway 24 is closed both directions. This is a major thorofare between Colorado Springs and West.
    The USAFA has opened their airport and airstrip for air support to use. Air support from Peterson Air Force Base is expected sometime today.

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