Residents were allowed to return home Thursday afternoon after a wind-driven wildfire burning southeast of Colorado Springs prompted evacuations Wednesday evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The El Paso County Sheriff\u2019s Office lifted an evacuation order for the Hammer fire at about 2 p.m. for Hammer Road, east to South Peyton Highway and Myers Road, north to Squirrel Creek.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As of Thursday afternoon, the fire was 60% contained, officials with El Paso County said in a 2:35 p.m. update. No structures have been lost.<\/p>\n
Firefighters on Thursday continue to battle high winds and dry air as they fight the fire, which grew to 4,900 acres overnight, Sgt. Kurt Smith with the El Paso County Sheriff\u2019s Office said in a Thursday morning briefing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Initial reports of the Hammer fire around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday estimated the fire at roughly 200 acres, but amid strong gusts, the fire exploded to more than 4,200 acres within hours, prompting evacuations for the unincorporated community of Hanover near Fountain, Smith said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While overnight aerial crews dropped water on the flames, firefighters on the ground will continue to work to contain the fire throughout the day Thursday, Smith said. About 10 agencies, along with the sheriff\u2019s wildland fire unit, are on scene, focusing on the northern and eastern edges of the fire.<\/p>\n
Hanover School District 28 will remain closed Thursday due to the fire.\u00a0<\/p>\n