Blaze prompts fire safety warnings

UCCS faculty and staff were reminded of the importance of fire safety following a wind-whipped fire in a median near the Campus Recreation Center Monday afternoon.

Following Monday’s fire, the Department of Public Safety reminded campus community members that open flames, fireworks, cigarette smoking in undeveloped areas, and off-road driving are prohibited on campus.

At about 3:50 p.m. Monday, the Colorado Springs Fire Department responded to 911 calls of fire in a parking lot median near the Recreation Center. The fire, fanned by 30 mph winds, quickly spread to a wooden pole supporting high-voltage electrical lines.

“The fire department responded quickly and in force,” Ron Honn, fire marshal, Department of Public Safety, said. “We are appreciative of the department’s thoroughness in ensuring this fire did not spread to the hillside or to campus buildings.”

For about 90 minutes Monday afternoon, vehicle traffic was diverted from Mountain Lion Way and the Recreation Center. Damage was limited to the mulch in the median, the plastic trim of a student's vehicle, and the Colorado Springs Utilities-owned pole.

Campus fire restrictions are:

• All open flame devices (including LPG/propane “fire pits”, wood, and charcoal grills or fires) are prohibited on all University of Colorado Colorado Springs property.
• Propane grills may be used only when approved in advance by Ron Honn, fire marshall, Department of Public Safety, 255-3201.
• Use of fireworks is not allowed on university property.
• Outdoor smoking in undeveloped areas is prohibited. University community members are reminded to use extreme caution while smoking outdoors and to use appropriate receptacles for the disposal of smoking waste. Recommendations include smoking within an enclosed personal vehicle or in an area clear of grasses, weeds, pine needles, mulch or other combustible materials. Smoking in university buildings and university vehicles is prohibited.
• Motorized vehicles are not allowed to be off campus roads.

To see KKTV’s coverage of the fire, click here.