Wetmore Volunteer Fire Department

05/30/2026

Please note the updated procedure for controlled burns!

Planning a controlled burn? We’ve made the process simple and accessible for Fremont and Custer County residents!

You can now apply for burn permits online and register your controlled burns quickly using the QR code or website listed below. Before burning, be sure to check if conditions allow for safe burning that day.

Please remember: permits help keep our community safe by reducing the risk of wildfires and ensuring emergency services are aware of authorized burns in the area.

Stay safe, burn responsibly, and always follow local burn regulations.

05/30/2026

We are certainly thankful for the much-needed rain. Sheriff Smith and Fire Chief Coleman met this morning to temporarily allow burns through Sunday evening. All of the other fire restrictions remain in place.

If you need to do a burn, use our new online portal to apply for your burn permit. https://fremontcustercounty.burnpermits.com/

04/22/2026

Custer County will be under a **Red Flag Warning** warning tomorrow (Wednesday April 22), and this is not a typical event. The National Weather Service has designated this as a **“Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS)”**—a rare classification used for the most extreme fire conditions. This is expected between 2PM and 7PM. We believe this PDS event is the first time it has ever been issued in Colorado.

This warning automatically triggers our **highest level of fire restrictions**: **NO burning of any kind.** Conditions are critical, and even a small spark—from chainsaws, driving through dry grass, welding, or other activities—could quickly turn into a fast-moving wildfire. We cannot afford preventable mistakes.

**What you should do now:**
Take time tonight to prepare in case evacuation becomes necessary. Decide what you will take, gather essential items, and make a plan with your family. Secure loose objects around your property, as wind gusts up to 50 mph are expected. Move any flammable materials away from your home.

**What your county is doing:**
County officials met this evening via phone to coordinate response efforts. The Sheriff’s Office will have deputies and volunteer posse members actively patrolling for smoke and reporting precise locations to fire crews.

Custer County Road & Bridge will have all four water tenders filled and ready for immediate response.

Wet Mountain FPD will have four personnel staged at the station and an additional four firefighters on standby for rapid deployment.

**Emergency Alerts:**
If you are not already signed up for Everbridge, please do so tonight or first thing in the morning. This system allows us to send emergency notifications, including evacuation orders, directly to you.

Sign up here: https://member.everbridge.net/355009111785665/login
Scroll down and click **CREATE ACCOUNT** to add your phone numbers, email, and text alerts.

Stay alert, stay prepared, and help us keep Custer County safe.

04/21/2026

Small grass fire extinguished about 1 a.m. today at the top of Jackson Hill on CO 96. Cause unknown, but it was adjacent to the highway

04/20/2026

We were there too. Photo in comment.

Emergency crews responded to two separate motorcycle crashes this afternoon near the S-curves on Highway 96 between mile markers 17 and 18.

Deputies were finishing up impounding a corvette and issuing a summons to a reckless driver who was traveling 104 MPH near mile marker 16 when a motorcyclist approached them to report the first crash. Deputies immediately responded, and while on scene, another rider notified them of a second crash in the same area.

Custer EMS and a medical helicopter from Colorado Springs were requested to respond.

While waiting for an additional ambulance, deputies assisted one of the injured riders by applying a splint to a broken ankle. During the process, deputies had to cut open the rider’s pant leg and discovered significant wounds. The rider advised those injuries were from a previous motorcycle crash last week.

Fortunately, both riders were wearing helmets and protective gear, which helped limit the severity of their injuries.

As we move into warmer weather, motorcycle traffic increases significantly—especially on weekends. We ask all motorists and riders to slow down, stay alert, and watch for motorcycles on our roadways. Riders are encouraged to wear proper protective gear and ride within their limits. A little extra caution can prevent serious injuries.

04/10/2026

New burn permit procedure:

We are still in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, however the new online burn permit system will be live in the coming days and we wanted to get this information out to you now.
If you have a current burn permit, you will need to apply for one in the new system.
If you need to renew or obtain a burn permit, that too will be done online moving forward.
If you have questions, please email Teri Munson at [email protected]

03/26/2026

CO 115 reopening

Highway 115 Reopening – March 26, 2026

State Highway 115 will reopen to all traffic at 4:00 PM on March 26, 2026. Please keep the following in mind:

*Smoke may still be visible in the area. There is no need to call 911 unless you observe a new fire or an immediate concern.

*Do not stop along the highway to take photos or observe activity. This is for your safety and the safety of others.

*Fire crews will remain in the area and continue to monitor conditions.

*Wildlife is very active in the area. They are trying to get back home too. Please be cautious.

*Colorado State Patrol will be present to assist with maintaining the safe flow of traffic.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all assisting agencies, firefighters, first responders, and support personnel for their dedication and hard work in ensuring the safety of our residents and the containment of the fire.

We also thank our community for your continued support and willingness to help one another during this time.

Please drive carefully, remain courteous to other motorists, and obey all traffic laws.

03/24/2026

CDOT still shows Colorado 115 as closed.

Below is a release from Fort Carson Officials for the 24 Fire.

“As of 8 p.m., the 24 Fire Incident Command assesses that fire remains at approximately 7,385 acres while the containment has increased to 24%. This is the result of the day crews’ aggressive strengthening of control lines around the fire.

Good progress has been made along Highway 115 with crews conducting mop up, tree removal and clean up. Crews along the north, east and south control lines completed interior firing operations and made good progress on mop up along the road.

For the next 12 hours, crews will continue to mop up, monitor, and patrol. Firefighters and apparatus will be visible along all control lines, especially along the Highway 115 corridor.”

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available."

Additionally there will be a town hall meeting at Penrose Elementary School tonight at 6 pm for those effected by the 24 Fire.

03/23/2026

Update on the "24 Fire." CO 115 still closed.

Below is a release from Fort Carson regarding the 24 Fire for 3/22/2026. Due to the length of the information a new post was created with a map attached of the current outline of the fire perimeter.

“Ground crews continue to strengthen control lines, containing the spread of the fire east of Highway 115. Total acreage remains approximately 4,605 with 0% containment.

Over the past 24-48 hours, significant efforts were made to prevent the fire from crossing to the west side of the highway. Crews are currently patrolling the highway to protect homes and equities west of Highway 115.

Mandatory evacuations within a two-mile radius around County Road F45 and Highway 115 remain in effect as does a three-mile pre-evacuation order. Highway 115 remains closed until further notice.

Large amounts of smoke will continue to be visible as fire response operations continue.

Below is a list of mutual aid partners who have joined Fort Carson Fire in their response efforts over the last 24 hours:

From the Department of War:

Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station
The U.S. Air Force Academy
Schriever Space Force Base

Local Fire Departments:

Black Forest
Falcon
Highway 115 Station
Hanover
Security
Stratmoor Hills
Cimmaron Hills
Northwest Teller
Colorado Springs
Fountain

Other:

U.S. Forestry Service
Colorado Springs Utilities
Arden Solutions Incorporated
We will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available.”

End of release