Turkey Track Fire containment increases to 45%, being investigated as human caused
Apr 13, 2025
DENVER (KDVR) -- The fire burning in southwest Douglas County is 45% contained, U.S. Forest Service officials said in a 6 p.m. Sunday update.
The Turkey Track Fire is burning on 128 acres near the Turkey Tracks Shooting Range about eight miles north of Woodland Park off Highway 67, officials said
. According to the Fire Information Center for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, the fire is being investigated as human-caused.
Initial coverage: 150-acre fire burning near Turkey Tracks Shooting Range
Not many details were provided in the evening update on Sunday, with the incident commander simply saying that crews "continue to make progress," in addition to the new containment percentage.
“Biggest challenge yesterday was a red flag day and wind," Ralph Bellah, fire information officer with the U.S. Forest Service, told FOX31's Alliyah Sims. "Wind got on this and today we’re cautious about it ... because we had a little bit of wind earlier but it has calmed down we’re just cautious about another red flag day.”
Bellah said that fire investigators and "pretty sure" the fire is human-caused.
“We don’t believe any lightning that happened recently. So, we don’t know what human-caused," he said. "It could be equipment and sparks coming out. It could be an escaped campfire and possibly could be caused by shooting that they do in the north end of here.”
The Turkey Track Shooting Area is located in the same area as the fire, contributing to the fire's name.
"This evening it’s predicted we’re supposed to start with rain showers in this area and then were supposed to get colder temperatures that turns into snow possibly," Bellah told Sims.
There are no structures threatened by the fire, but the Douglas County Sheriff's Office has asked campers in the area to evacuate.
"Smoke will remain visible throughout the day as there are still pockets of heat inside the fire perimeter," fire officials said in the update. "Firefighters and fire equipment are on the road so we ask people lease remain cautious when driving on Highway 67 in that area."
Bellah said that fires can start to move quickly, especially on red flag days.
“Structures can get involved very fast. So, we're fortunate that it didn’t grow off the highway and no structures were threatened," Bellah said. "North of us there's structures, so luckily it burned east instead of north.”
Bellah cautioned residents to be extremely careful with any kind of ignition source at this time of year.
“Right now, our fuel moistures are very low so we want everybody to be extremely cautious because these fire fuels are very receptive to any kind of ignition," Bellah said. "So, all motorcycles and ATVS must have spark arresters. Must be very careful with any kind of campfire. Any ignition source just be very extremely careful right now this time of year.” ...read more read less