A wildfire exercise held Oct. 7 in the Chipita Park and Green Mountain Falls area was deemed a “successful training event” by Fire Warden and El Paso County Sheriff Joe Roybal.

“I am extremely happy with the results from today’s Ute Pass Evacuation Drill and applaud the various agencies and citizen participants for their hard work, and thoughtful participation,” Roybal said in a press release. “These exercises are crucial for our agencies to participate in, preparing us for when the emergency occurs.”

They are particularly crucial for residents in the Ute Pass area. In 2012, the Waldo Canyon fire ripped through the area. It was during that event that many of the flaws in the system were discovered.

The solutions to those flaws were tested in October’s drill.

The exercise created a mock scenario of a fast-moving wildfire, creating threats to residents and tourists in the area.

Households and businesses participated in the exercise, beginning with door knock evacuation warning and emergency messaging from Peak Alerts and the El Paso-Teller 911 Authority, the release said.

The exercise allowed responders to train in evacuation, education, and procedures, working through changing weather conditions and tech issues.

“I am extremely happy with the results from today’s Ute Pass Evacuation Drill and applaud the various agencies and citizen participants for their hard work, and thoughtful participation,” Roybal said in the release. “It is imperative we prepare for a variety of emergency situations in the Pikes Peak region, wildland fire being one of the more serious, likely scenarios.

“These exercises are crucial for our agencies to participate in, preparing us for when the emergency occurs.”