A quick-moving brush fire behind Dragonman’s shooting range near Ellicott rattled nearby residents Thursday afternoon, briefly forcing evacuations before firefighters brought the situation under control in short order.
The blaze, reported just after 1 p.m., was knocked down in about 20 minutes, and no injuries were reported. According to range staff, witnesses said two people were firing rounds that sparked flames on the berm, then took off before crews arrived. Dragonman’s operators stressed that incendiary, or tracer, ammunition is banned at the facility and urged the public to help identify the shooters.
Evacuation Orders and Fast Response
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation order for residents west of Curtis Road, south of Davis Road, east of Blaney Road, and north of Highway 94, then lifted it roughly 20 minutes after deputies told people to leave, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. The Ellicott Fire Department led the response, with neighboring departments helping secure the perimeter, hit hot spots, and watch for flare-ups along the edges.
What Witnesses Say Happened on the Range
Dragonman’s staff said the fire started behind the range and that it was ignited by tracer rounds, which can stay hot after impact. Witnesses reported seeing two shooters whose rounds sparked flames on the berm before they left the property, according to KKTV. The range added that part of the incident was caught on surveillance video and that employees are reviewing the footage.
How Big the Fire Got
Local estimates of the burn area do not all match up. KJCT reported the fire at roughly 60 acres. A separate WatchDuty estimate, cited by FOX21 and later syndicated on Yahoo, put the figure closer to 48.2 acres before officials declared the blaze contained. Crews focused on knocking down remaining hot spots and defending nearby structures, including the range complex and surrounding properties.
Fire Danger and Local Restrictions
Fire danger in the area was already elevated. El Paso County had reinstated Stage I fire restrictions the day before, limiting open burning and outdoor pyrotechnics as officials warned about the risk of fast-spreading fires, according to KRDO. The restrictions do not specifically call out tracer ammunition, but they underscore how easily a single spark can turn into a problem under dry, windy conditions.
Potential Legal Fallout
Investigators are asking for tips as they sort out whether criminal charges are warranted. Under Colorado law, intentionally setting a wildfire can rise to a felony level. According to Justia, Colorado’s statute on intentionally setting wildfire makes that conduct a class 3 felony when a fire places people or occupied structures at risk.
How the Public Can Help
Dragonman’s staff are asking anyone with information about the two suspected shooters to call the business at (719) 683-2200 and say they are continuing to review surveillance video to help identify those involved, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. Range operators and local agencies also thanked responding crews and reminded shooters to follow posted rules and safety briefings, including the ban on tracer rounds…