Containment of the 24 fire between Colorado Springs and Penrose continued to increase, according to a Friday news release from Fort Carson officials.

The fire is 86% contained, up from 61% on Thursday. The size of the burn area remained at 7,385 acres.

“Fire crews continue to patrol and monitor the control lines,” the news release from Fort Carson stated.

The ‘READY’ pre-evacuation status for residents within the 2-mile radius along County Road F45 and Colorado 115 is no longer in effect.

“Please do not stop along the highway and remain vigilant for wildlife,” officials said. “Smoke will still be visible from the road but does not require notification to emergency services.”

Smoke seen around Colorado Springs on Thursday was from fires burning in western Nebraska, according to the National Weather Service.

Highway 115 reopened Thursday afternoon after being closed since the fire erupted March 18.

After a cool start to the day, developing breezy westerly winds will bring the return of unseasonably warm temperatures and critical fire weather conditions across much of south central and southeast Colorado on Saturday. #cowx pic.twitter.com/25zjSe4inZ

— NWS Pueblo (@NWSPueblo) March 27, 2026

The forecast

Friday’s cool weather, with temperatures largely in the 40s, will give way to unseasonably warm temps this weekend, increasing the risk of fire danger across southern Colorado, forecasters said.

Friday’s high of 47 marked the first below-average temperature in 11 days, said Casey Dorn, meteorologist with Gazette news partner KOAA.

Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 77 degrees after a low around 30 overnight. Sunday brings more sunny skies with a high of about 80. Average highs in Colorado Springs the last week of March are in the upper 50s, according to the Weather Service.

Winds are forecast to waft between 5 mph and 15 mph throughout the weekend.

Many areas surrounding El Paso and Pueblo counties will be under a red flag warning for high fire danger from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday.