Westside Briefs:
2 hillside fires stopped; some restrictions now
Firefighters were able to contain two hillside fires near the Westside in the past week.
Since then, because of continuing dryness, both the Colorado Springs Fire Department and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office have instituted fire restrictions, which include a ban on open burning except in designated areas. The first of the two fires was the afternoon of March 31 in Bear Creek Park off 21st Street and Argus Boulevard, near the developed park area. The blaze burned five acres of grass. A total of 40 firefighters participated. The fire is believed to have been set intentionally, a Fire Department press release states, but no further information has been provided. A second fire was just before dawn April 1 at 30th Street and Garden of the Gods Road. Twenty firefighters battled this blaze, which eventually burned 1.5 acres. The cause was determined to be a discarded cigarette In neither fire was there any injury or structural loss. Big Band Saturday Performances over the years by trumpeter Bill Emery and his New Century Big Band at the Colorado Springs Shrine Club have gone by the name “Big Band Sunday” because that's the day of the week they've been scheduled (usually starting in the mid-afternoon). But Emery has decided that his next “Big Band Sunday” will instead be Saturday, April 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. Otherwise, all will be the same, with a regular cost of $12 ($8 for people over 65 and free for people 18 and under), and a $2 discount for donating a non-perishable food product for charity. The music is geared for ballroom and swing dancing. Deborah LaPorta will sing. For more information, call 964-7977. Westside Pioneer/press releases |