Within half an hour of a voluntary evacuation order on the northwest side of Colorado Springs, the entire Front Range exploded into flames, with fire lines jumping canyon walls and making a rapid descent into the residential areas of Mountain Shadows, and further down into areas around Discovery at Rockrimmon and Delmonico. Thousands fleed the fast-moving fire, bringing traffic on Woodmen Road and Rockrimmon to a standstill. Reports have come in of structure to structure burning, including homes and businesses as far west as Centennial and Garden of the Gods. Fires continue to rage all across the city from Garden of the Gods to Air Force Academy, but no reports of exact locations are being given by authorities at this time.

Photo taken by JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE