Hammer

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Hammer Fire ignited around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 (with emergency responses extending into April 23), approximately 7 miles southeast of Fountain, north of Hanover and Meridian Road in El Paso County, Colorado.
Size and Containment: Based on the most recent data over the last 72 hours, the fire has burned approximately 4,958 acres and is currently between 80% and 100% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Initially reported as a 200-acre fire, the blaze rapidly exploded to over 4,200 acres within a few hours. The extreme rate of spread was driven by strong wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph and fueled by dead, dry vegetation and grass on the Eastern Plains.
Containment Efforts: A robust response involving approximately 20 agencies, including the El Paso County Sheriff's wildland fire unit and the Hanover Fire Department, tackled the blaze. Aerial crews conducted overnight water drops, while ground crews focused on the northern and eastern edges. Firefighters have since released supporting resources and transitioned into cleanup, monitoring, and reinforcing containment lines.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: All mandatory evacuation orders, including those for Hammer Road east to South Peyton Highway and Myers Road north to Squirrel Creek, have been lifted.
Evacuation Warnings: Pre-evacuation warnings for the area of Squirrel Creek Road north to Clements have also been lifted.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: The emergency evacuation center at Hanover Jr/Sr High School and the large animal shelter at the Norris Penrose Event Center are now closed. Officials have deemed it safe for residents to return to the area.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Squirrel Creek Road was temporarily closed during the height of the fire but has since reopened.
• Hanover School District 28 was closed due to the firefight but operations have resumed.
• Currently, there are no major road closures in effect related to the Hammer Fire, but residents are advised to remain cautious of fire crews finalizing cleanup operations.

For more information, visit:

• El Paso County Sheriff's Office
• El Paso County Emergency Management
• Colorado Department of Transportation (COtrip) for Road Conditions

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the Hammer Fire.
Structures Impacted: Fortunately, no structures have been lost or destroyed in the blaze.
School and Business Closures: Hanover School District 28 canceled classes temporarily to accommodate emergency sheltering and response, but the closure has since been lifted.
Notable Impacts: The fire primarily scorched rural and agricultural lands southeast of Colorado Springs, temporarily displacing local residents and requiring the evacuation of large animals and livestock.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No significant power outages have been reported in connection with this fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported.
Burn Bans: Fire danger remains extremely high across El Paso County and the state. Residents are urged to adhere to any local fire restrictions and avoid activities that could spark a wildfire.
Air Quality: With containment high, smoke impacts have significantly diminished. However, individuals with severe respiratory conditions should continue to monitor local air quality advisories.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Fire crews have successfully contained the vast majority of the fire. With containment reaching 80% to 100% in recent days, remaining personnel are focused exclusively on monitoring for hot spots and reinforcing existing containment lines.
Weather and Wind Warnings: While the immediate threat of the Hammer Fire has passed, southern Colorado remains under elevated fire danger. Recent Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches highlight the ongoing risk posed by wind gusts reaching 30 to 40 mph and critically low humidity.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The Hammer Fire is believed to be human-caused. Local authorities have issued public warnings urging extreme caution, noting a recent spike in human-caused wildland fires in the region.
Weather and Climate: The fire's rapid explosion was heavily influenced by extreme fire weather. Colorado is currently experiencing an elevated fire risk due to an exceptional "snow drought" and record-low snowpack during the 2025-2026 winter. Combined with moderate to exceptional drought conditions currently affecting 97% of the state, the dead, dry vegetation and high winds created a highly volatile environment for rapid fire spread.

For more information, visit:

• Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC)
• El Paso County Official Website
• National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)