A wildfire shut down a key stretch of Colorado Highway 115 on Thursday, forcing a full closure in both directions between County Road F45 and Barrett Road and tangling traffic south of Colorado Springs. Drivers in the area were told to brace for delays and slower speeds while crews worked the scene.
CDOT Alert
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, "#CO115 northbound/southbound: Road closed due to fire activity between County Road F45 and Barrett Road. Slower speeds advised." The agency posted the alert on Thursday as the situation was unfolding.
Stretch Has A History Of Closures
This stretch of CO-115 sits roughly 12 miles south of Colorado Springs and has a bit of a troubled history. It has seen both wildland fires and serious collisions that shut traffic down completely.
In 2022, the Salt Canyon Fire burned along the highway between County Road F45 and Barrett Road and drew a multi-agency response, as reported by KRDO.
Crashes, Too
It is not just flames that have stopped traffic on this corridor. Crashes have shut down the same mile markers in recent years, including a fatal collision that closed CO-115 between County Road F45 and Barrett Road, according to KOAA. Those incidents underline how a single event can leave motorists waiting for hours along this two-lane route.
What Drivers Should Do
Transportation officials are steering travelers to COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app for live closure updates and alternate routes. Per the Colorado Department of Transportation, CO-115 is a vital commercial and military artery, so when it shuts down, the ripple effects on local traffic and freight can be felt well beyond the immediate closure.
As of the time of CDOT's alert, officials had not released details about the fire's size, cause, or an expected reopening time. This story will be updated when agencies publish more information.
