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As the Waldo Canyon fire continues to ravage Colorado Springs, some area colleges are taking steps to protect students and personnel against potential harm and provide support for those who have already been affected. According to a news release posted late Wednesday night, the U.S. Air Force Academy has relocated about 550 cadets off its grounds -- about 200 summer academics cadets moved to the nearby University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and the other 350 cadets who were participating in training programs were released to their local sponsor families. In-processing for class of 2016 cadets, slated to begin Thursday, will continue as scheduled, but all other base operations are closed. According to releases from earlier in the day, no structures on campus are threatened by the fire. Residents from two housing areas were ordered to evacuate Tuesday as a precaution due to the unpredictability of the fire.
Residence halls at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs -- which accepted some Air Force Academy evacuees -- are at capacity and can no longer accept evacuees, according to an update posted Thursday morning on the university’s website. Classes, activities and offices continue to operate on normal schedules. The Air Force Academy and another area college, Pikes Peak Community College, have also found ways to contribute to the firefighting effort. The academy canceled its normal cadet flying training and opened its airfield for Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management helicopter operations.
Pikes Peak's student government organized a donation drive for evacuees and was collecting items -- they requested snack items, clothing in good condition, cereal, quick meal items and pet food -- all day Tuesday and Wednesday.
