Associated Press

CASCADE — A wildfire on private and National Forest land was about 30 percent contained Thursday, and officials said they think it was intentionally set.

The fire, estimated at 6.5 acres, started at about 3 p.m. on a road west of Colorado Springs, El Paso County sheriff's spokeswoman Melissa Hartman said. Authorities first estimated the size at 15 acres.

Full containment was expected by this morning.

Nearby residents were asked to be ready to evacuate. Hartman said that would not be necessary unless winds changed.

Air tankers and helicopters dropped water on the fire, which was burning mostly grass and brush.

The fire was the fourth intentionally set in the area within the past two weeks, Hartman said. Officials were searching for information from the public.

Drought has resulted in 500 fires in Colorado this year and cost the state $4.3 million.

May 31, 2002

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