Early Wednesday morning, police say a 21-year-old woman admitted to starting two small wildfires that briefly closed Palmer Park in Colorado Springs. Fire crews knocked the blazes down within a couple of hours, no injuries were reported, and officers took the suspect into custody at the scene, according to authorities.
According to the Denver Gazette, an officer spotted a large amount of smoke near North Academy Boulevard and Maizeland Road at about 4:48 a.m., while a park ranger reported flames near Parking Lot 12. Palmer Park covers roughly 730 acres, and officials treated even a small grass fire as a serious concern given the rocky terrain and well-used trail network. Crews closed the park during the response while they checked the area for hot spots.
Drone Team Spots the Flames Before Dawn
The Colorado Springs Police Department launched a real-time crime center drone, and the fire department deployed its own drone to track the active fire, KKTV reported. Crews eventually located two separate grass fires that together burned less than a quarter-acre. By about 6 a.m., firefighters had a solid knockdown and containment line in place.
Firefighters Spot Spectator on the Rocks
Firefighters told reporters they noticed a person standing on a nearby rock formation watching the response. Crews and officers kept an eye on the individual using the drone before moving in to make contact. Police identified the person as 21-year-old Cadence Malkin, who immediately admitted to starting the fires and was taken into custody, according to KRDO.
Park Reopens After Crews Mop Up Hot Spots
The Colorado Springs Fire Department said on social media that crews encountered an area of burned grass about 10 feet by 10 feet, along with several smaller spot fires, and urged people to steer clear while they worked. Palmer Park stayed closed during the investigation and monitoring phase. Authorities reopened the park around 8:30 a.m., according to KKTV.
Wind, Dry Brush Turn “Small” Fires Into Big Worries
Officials warned that high winds and dry conditions made even minor ignitions risky this week. Local forecasts called for gusts of 30 to 50 mph that could push flames rapidly across open space, KRDO reported. Authorities have not yet publicly detailed any charges tied to the arrest, and coverage reminded readers that the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, the Denver Gazette noted.
