10/08/2026
Rampart Reservoir Area prescribed fire planned for watershed health on the Pikes Peak Ranger District
Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands
Forest Service News Release
Media Contact: Public Affairs Office
[email protected]
www.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc
Rampart Reservoir Area prescribed fire planned for watershed health on the Pikes Peak Ranger District
Favorable weather conditions in place for hazardous fuels reduction work
(Colorado Springs, CO, October 7, 2026) — The Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, Pikes Peak Ranger District plans to conduct prescribed fire treatments on approximately 1,790 acres of National Forest System lands in the Woodland Park area of El Paso County as early as Oct. 8.
The Rampart Reservoir Area prescribed fire project is approximately three miles east of Woodland Park. Please proceed with caution as fire crews and equipment may be present on the trails or roads.
Implementation of the Rampart Reservoir Area prescribed fire is expected to begin as soon as weather and forest vegetation conditions meet desired conditions. Fire managers expect this to occur as early as Oct. 8 and last a couple of days.
Prescribed fire reduces woody debris, small trees, and shrubs on the forest floor. Removing these hazardous fuels decreases the risk of high-severity wildland fires. Smoke and flames may be visible for days to weeks following a prescribed burn. Heavy smoke may be in the air. Please do not call 911 since a prescribed burn is not an emergency. The area will be monitored and patrolled to ensure fires are completely out.
Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please go to https://cdphe.colorado.gov/outdoor-burning/wildfire-smoke-and-health.
When prescribed burn days are scheduled, staff will send email notifications and post updates on Facebook and X.
You may also contact the Pikes Peak Ranger District at 719-636-1602 with any additional concerns or questions.
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
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Pike-San Isabel National Forests
Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands
www.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc
[email protected]
719-553-1400
