fire near monument

[car-15]

http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/F...168804976.html

small plane has done one slurry drop over a small fire on the backside of Mt. Herman.

Palmer Lake police say it is currently a 2-acre fire burning among ponderosa pine. Several agencies have responded in hopes of quickly squashing the fire.

Lt. Jeff Kramer with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office tells 11 News that the office received numerous calls regarding a plume of smoke in the area early Thursday afternoon. The smoke fire is believed to be in the area of Trail 716, which begins at Mt. Herman Road west of Monument.

Mt. Herman Road is currently closed at Red Rocks Drive. Authorities are trying to get everyone off of Mt. Herman. This is not a residential area, so authorities are primarily concerned with anyone hiking or driving the road.

Smoke can be seen from the interstate starting around the Northgate exit. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office asks the public to not call 911, as authorities are aware of the smoke.

El Paso Wildland Crew, Tri-Lakes Fire Department, Monument Fire Department, Palmer Lake Fire Department and the Forest Service are all responding.

We are working to get further details. A news crew is at the scene now.

[Hoser]

Good thing the firefighting hurks are headed home tomorrow.

[Ridge]

Good thing the firefighting hurks are headed home tomorrow.

Met one of the crews at the Jeffco Airshow (I refuse to call the airport by the new name) and they're a great bunch of modest guys.