EL PASO COUNTY, COLO. -- Fire crews with El Paso County and the Colorado Springs Fire Department are battling a wildfire in Waldo Canyon.
Smoke can be seen from Colorado Springs.
The Waldo Fire was first reported around 12:30 p.m. Saturday and is about 1,000 acres and growing, according to officials.
They also said about 250 structures are threatened, though none have burned so far, and about 1,050 homes have been evacuated.
The CSFD said mandatory evacuations have been issued for residents in the Cedar Heights subdivision, the Mountain Shadows subdivision south of Chuck Wagon, residents in Cascade north of Highway 24 from County Line east to Waldo Canyon and west of 30th Street in Old Colorado City from Gateway to Chuckwagon.
The Glen Eyrie conference center was also evacuated.
Voluntary evacuations meanwhile have been issued for residents in Green Mountain Falls, Chipita Park, Mountain Shadows north of Chuck Wagon and Cascade south of Highway 24.
The Garden of the Gods Park and Visitor Center are closed.
Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach has told everybody west of I-25 to be on alert.
Hikers have also been asked to leave the area immediately, and traffic is being diverted away from the hillside and Rampart Range Road. Officials are also encouraging drivers not to use Highway 24, though the road is open.
Two air tankers from the High Park Fire have been diverted, and 100 firefighters are currently on the ground.
All evacuees can go to Cheyenne Mountain High School or Woodland Park High School. The Penrose Equestrian Center is providing shelter for large animals, and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region and the Bear Creek Veterinary Care are providing shelter for smaller animals.
Weather will remain hot and dry throughout the weekend.
Click here to watch streaming video of the fire.
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