Editor's Note: The video above contains statistics that were updated after the story aired. Updated statistics can be found in the article below. (COLORADO SPRINGS) — On Thursday, March 20, during Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade's March briefing, the Mayor spoke about illegal campsite fire s that pose a danger of becoming much larger wildfires. Mayor Mobolade brought up the recent fire at Garden of the Gods Road that happened on Thursday, March 13. The cause of the fire was later determined to have started at an illegal campsite. Mayor Mobolade said as of March 20, the Colorado Springs Fire Department had responded to 189 fires in just 79 days in 2025. The Mayor said the City is conducting homeless camp cleanups, including a recent cleanup in Dorchester Park, and along Monument Creek, where three trucks full of trash were removed. "This is why I am doubling down on enforcement against illegal campsites. This is a multi-department effort from the city where we combine behavioral health-related street outreach with connecting our unhoused residents to the services that they need, while also prioritizing the safety and well-being of the greater city," said Mayor Mobolade. According to the Mayor, the challenge is connecting the unhoused population with services and getting them to take advantage of them. He said street outreach is the key and the city will be investing in street outreach to have public servants with training in behavioral health care and social work guide the unhoused population to available services. ...read more read less