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A wildfire shut down a key stretch of Colorado Highway 115 on Thursday, forcing a full closure in both directions between County Road F45 and Barrett Road and tangling traffic south of Colorado Springs. Drivers in the area were told to brace for delays and slower speeds while crews worked the scene.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, "#CO115 northbound/southbound: Road closed due to fire activity between County Road F45 and Barrett Road. Slower speeds advised." The agency posted the alert on Thursday as the situation was unfolding.

This stretch of CO-115 sits roughly 12 miles south of Colorado Springs and has a bit of a troubled history. It has seen both wildland fires and serious collisions that shut traffic down completely.

In 2022, the Salt Canyon Fire burned along the highway between County Road F45 and Barrett Road and drew a multi-agency response, as reported by KRDO.

It is not just flames that have stopped traffic on this corridor. Crashes have shut down the same mile markers in recent years, including a fatal collision that closed CO-115 between County Road F45 and Barrett Road, according to KOAA. Those incidents underline how a single event can leave motorists waiting for hours along this two-lane route.

Transportation officials are steering travelers to COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app for live closure updates and alternate routes. Per the Colorado Department of Transportation, CO-115 is a vital commercial and military artery, so when it shuts down, the ripple effects on local traffic and freight can be felt well beyond the immediate closure.

As of the time of CDOT's alert, officials had not released details about the fire's size, cause, or an expected reopening time. This story will be updated when agencies publish more information.

A fast-moving fire burning along Colorado 115 south of Colorado Springs blew the containment line Thursday, spreading farther east onto Fort Carson and scorching nearly 700 acres, officials said.

The blaze was fully uncontained as of late Thursday afternoon, officials said, despite having been 50% contained earlier in the day. Smoke will remain visible along the highway as crews try to corral the flames.

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) estimated the fire perimeter had grown to 670 acres. Fort Carson officials earlier in the day reported the fire size at 80 acres.

Highway 115 is closed Thursday evening between County Road F45 (3 miles north of the Penrose area) and Barrett Road (10 miles south of the Rock Creek Park area) from mile marker 21 to mile marker 28, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

The wildfire was one of three burning across southern Colorado this week amid dry, dangerous fire weather conditions that were expected to increase in the coming weeks. According to the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center, all three wildfires were caused by humans.

In an update Thursday afternoon, a Fort Carson spokesperson said a separate, 1,600-acre wildfire burning within the Army base’s training area was 100% contained.

Full containment means fire lines holding the perimeter of the fire are secure, preventing the fire’s spread.

Buttermilk fire in Custer County largely contained

In Custer County, a wildfire that prompted evacuations near Westcliffe on Wednesday was 75% contained Thursday. The Custer County Sheriff’s Office said Pines Ranch and Spread Eagle neighborhoods were reopened to residents at noon Thursday, but urged them to stay in the “ready” stage for evacuation.

Fifteen homes remained under mandatory evacuation. Deputies were assisting the residents in gathering supplies and removing pets whenever it was safe to do so.

Dubbed by officials as the Buttermilk fire, the Custer County fire began burning on Wednesday and has scorched an estimated 80 acres, according to the most recent update from the county. No injuries have been reported, and zero structures have been lost.

The office initially reported the wildfire was 80% contained, but later said that estimate was “incorrect.”

According to the latest update, the fire started after an aspen tree fell onto a power line, which has an automatic setting to try to reconnect the power. For the duration of the fire season, the automatic reconnect feature will be disabled, the Custer County Sheriff’s Office said.

“This potentially would lead to more outages due to false alerts. Anytime a failure is detected, they will have a manual crew physically check the lines before re-energizing,” county officials said in the latest update.

Mykel Kroll with the Fremont County Office of Emergency Management said it’s critical that people start paying attention to fire weather safety.

“We’ve had a very dry winter. Getting people prepared is going to be huge this season. People need to be signed up for alerts,” Kroll said.

In El Paso County, Fort Carson officials have not shared more details on how the two fires were sparked, but they said the Highway 115 fire started off post before spreading onto the military base.

Kroll estimated that it will take at least a few days for the fire along the busy highway to be fully contained. It could be even longer, Kroll said, due to the rough, mountainous terrain fire crews are navigating and changing weather conditions.

“At this time, the winds are very, very well in our favor and pushing the fire back towards the east, away from Highway 115,” Kroll said late Thursday morning — before it jumped containment lines.

Record-breaking heat in the forecast

The National Weather Service in Pueblo said record warmth will continue through Saturday for southern Colorado. High winds over the weekend will bring increased fire danger for much of the region.

Thursday’s high temperature for Colorado Springs was 81 degrees, tying the city’s all-time high temperature in March, according to KOAA meteorologist Casey Dorn.

Daily elevated fire weather conditions were expected across the higher terrain Friday and would likely spread east into the plains Saturday due to gusty winds and “very low” humidity values, according to the National Weather Service.

Friday’s expected high temperature in Colorado Springs is 83 and Saturday the forecast calls for 89, with sunny skies both days. Temperatures are nearly 30 degrees above the average this time of year.

Meteorologists from the U.S. Climate Prediction Center are predicting that the temperature and precipitation outlook this spring “leans” to above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation.

The Gazette’s Mary Shinn, Alexander Edwards and Tony Raap contributed to this report.

As containment for a Custer County wildfire reaches 75%, county officials are saying Saturday is expected to be “much worse” fire weather.

The wildfire prompted several evacuations near Westcliffe on Wednesday, covering a two-mile radius that included around 98 structures. The Custer County Sheriff’s Office said in a Thursday afternoon update that Pines Ranch and Spread Eagle neighborhoods were reopened to residents at noon, but urged them to stay in the “ready” stage for evacuation.

Fifteen homes remain under mandatory evacuation. Deputies are assisting the residents in gathering supplies and removing pets whenever it is safe to do so.

The wildfire is one of three burning across southern Colorado this week amid dry, dangerous fire weather conditions that are only expected to increase in the coming weeks.

Dubbed by officials as the “Buttermilk fire,” the Custer County fire began burning on Wednesday and has scorched an estimated 80 acres, according to the most recent update from the county. No injuries have been reported, and zero structures have been lost.

The office initially reported the wildfire was 80% contained, but later said that estimate was “incorrect.”

According to the latest update, the fire started after an aspen tree fell onto a power line, which has an automatic setting to try to reconnect the power. For the duration of the fire season, the automatic reconnect feature will be disabled, the Custer County Sheriff’s Office said.

“This potentially would lead to more outages due to false alerts. Anytime a failure is detected, they will have a manual crew physically check the lines before re-energizing,” county officials said in the latest update.

Mykel Kroll with the Fremont County Office of Emergency Management said it’s critical that people start paying attention to fire weather safety.

“We’ve had a very dry winter. Getting people prepared is going to be huge this season. People need to be signed up for alerts,” Kroll said.

Two wildfires are burning on Fort Carson south of Colorado Springs

In an update Thursday afternoon, a Fort Carson spokesperson announced that a 1,600-acre wildfire burning within the Army base’s training area is 100% contained. South of Colorado Springs, an 80-acre fire burning along Colorado 115 on the base’s land has reached 50% containment.

Full containment means fire lines holding the perimeter of the fire are secure, preventing the fire’s spread.

Smoke will remain visible along Colorado 115 as crews continue to work the wildfire, according to the official.

Kroll estimated that it will take at least a few days for the fire along the busy highway to be fully contained. It could be even longer, Kroll said, due to the rough, mountainous terrain fire crews are navigating and changing weather conditions.

“At this time, the winds are very, very well in our favor and pushing the fire back towards the east, away from Highway 115,” Kroll said late Thursday morning. “Yesterday, the winds were swirling (the fire) around.”

According to the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center, all three wildfires were caused by humans.

Fort Carson officials have not shared more details on how the two fires were sparked. Kroll said such information for the two fires burning on Fort Carson land will have to come from the military.

Fort Carson officials did not provide more details about the cause of the fire, including if it is being investigated, when asked by The Gazette.

The National Weather Service in Pueblo said record warmth will continue through Saturday for southern Colorado. High winds over the weekend will bring increased fire danger for much of the region.

Thursday’s forecasted high temperature for Colorado Springs is 80 degrees, nearly 30 degrees above the average this time of year. The all-time high temperature in March in Colorado Springs is 81, according to KOAA meteorologist Casey Dorn.

Daily elevated fire weather conditions are expected across the higher terrain Friday and then will spread east into the plains Saturday due to gusty winds and “very low” humidity values, the National Weather Service is reporting.

Spotty, critical fire weather conditions will be possible Thursday afternoon for the northern portions of the San Luis Valley due to the low humidity values and “occasional” gusty winds.

For spring, meteorologists from the U.S. Climate Prediction Center are predicting that the temperature and precipitation outlook this spring “leans” to above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation across south-central and southeast Colorado, The Gazette previously reported.

Colorado Springs, CO (March 12, 2026) – A two-vehicle crash with reported injuries occurred at the intersection of Palmer Park Blvd and Chelton Rd in east Colorado Springs.

Emergency units responded on Wednesday, March 11, after receiving reports of a collision involving two vehicles at the intersection. Early information indicates that one of the vehicles left the roadway during the crash, struck a nearby home, and came to rest in the backyard.

Authorities confirmed the crash involved injuries, though officials have not released details about how many people were hurt or their conditions.

The incident caused traffic disruptions in the area. Northbound Chelton Rd and westbound Palmer Park Blvd were closed for a period of time while crews worked at the scene.

Additional information about the circumstances leading up to the crash has not yet been released. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and more details may be provided as they become available. We are thinking of those injured as they receive medical care.

Why Some Crashes Send Vehicles Off the Roadway

Vehicles can leave the roadway during a crash for several reasons. Sudden impacts between cars can push a vehicle sideways or cause it to lose traction, making it difficult for the driver to regain control.

Intersections can be especially risky locations for these incidents. When vehicles collide at an angle, the impact force may redirect one vehicle toward sidewalks, yards, or nearby structures.

Speed, driver reaction time, and the angle of impact can all affect how far a vehicle travels after impact. In some situations, curbs, landscaping, or other barriers may slow the vehicle before it reaches nearby homes or buildings.

These types of crashes can create additional hazards by damaging property and increasing the risk of injury to nearby people.

When I was a kid, I dreamed of being a ballerina, twirling across a stage in a tutu and toe shoes. My parents signed me up for classes, but I soon learned that a big-boned girl with knock knees would not go far in the ballet world.

7 p.m. March 13

2 p.m. March 14

Many young girls and boys share that desire to be a dancer. But few have the physicality, persistence and discipline it takes for those dreams to come true.

Only the top young dancers are chosen for the American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company, an elite group of 11 rising stars who will perform at the Ent Center for the Arts during a two-day residency March 13 and 14.

“Studio Company dancers are the future of ballet, the best of the best,” says David Siegel, Ent Center executive director. “They are among the most exciting artists and athletes in the country, and this is their only appearance in Colorado this year.”

The engagement features two performances: the Signature Evening, a full-length performance in two acts that features works drawn from both the classical repertoire and contemporary choreography; and the Family Matinee, which will feature shorter pieces through narration, explanations and audience engagement.

But that’s not all. Thanks to the efforts of the Dance Alliance of the Pikes Peak Region and Green Box Arts, which partnered with Ent to bring the company to Colorado Springs, the residency will include several master classes for young dancers. The ballet company’s appearances coincide with the Dance Alliance’s 29th annual Esther Geoffrey Scholarship Competition for intermediate and advanced ballet and contemporary dance students ages 12-18.

ABT Studio Company Rehearsal Director and former ABT dancer Eric Tamm will teach a master class that will include judging for ballet contestants. After that class, Green Box Arts co-founder, dancer and choreographer Larry Keigwin will teach a master class that will include judging for scholarships in contemporary dance. ABT Studio Company will also present a master class for University of Colorado Colorado Springs students.

The U.S. Congress designated the American Ballet Theatre, based in New York City, as America’s National Ballet Company® in 2006. The Studio Company prepares exceptionally promising dancers ages 17-21 for careers with leading ballet companies. About 85% of the dancers go on to join ABT’s main company, one of the most prestigious in the world, ABT Studio Company Artistic Director Sascha Radetsky says. Renowned principal dancer Misty Copeland is among the famous alumni.

The company’s Colorado Springs residency is its second stop on a five-city tour of the West, Radetsky says. “It’s going to be a very meaningful engagement there, and I’m excited to introduce our dancers to that area and its vibrant, rich, thriving art scene,” says Radetsky, who has Colorado ties through his parents and performed here as a dancer.

The ABT Studio Company performances are part of the Ent Center’s Artist Series, which brings leading artists to the Pikes Peak region for the enjoyment of UCCS students and the community. The Kirkpatrick Family Fund also provided support for the engagement.

“There is something about this art form that captures the imagination and has inspired people for centuries,” Siegel says. “Being able to carry that forward and share it with youth and families from across the region is really special.”