Manitou Springs Fire Department

06/01/2026

Manitou Springs Fire Department and Crystal Park Volunteer Fire Department recently participated in a cave rescue training with CaveSim, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. Crews spent several hours navigating over 150 feet of confined-space tunnels, interacting with simulated victims, and practicing patient packaging and extrication techniques. This type of specialized training is critical for emergency responders serving Colorado mountain communities, where rugged terrain, remote recreation areas, mines, caves, and confined spaces can create complex rescue environments that require teamwork, technical skill, and strong situational awareness.

05/29/2026

Manitou is looking Green! All of this moisture has definitely helped our fire and water situations.

As of noon today (5/29/2026) Manitou Springs is no longer on Fire Restrictions. This is not an invitation to be reckless. Please continue to act responsibly with fire and all things that can cause a spark. We still have considerable fire danger.

For more information and find up-to-date Fire Danger here:
https://www.manitouspringsco.gov/733/Our-Current-Fire-Danger

Get out there and enjoy this moisture responsibly!

05/29/2026

Hello Manitou!

Great news! All of this wonderful moisture has really helped our Fire Conditions.

Effective today at noon, Friday, May 29th 2026, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are rescinded for the City of Manitou Springs.

This does not mean that there is no fire danger out there. We must still remain cautious and follow the City and Fire Department guidelines.

More details on our current Fire Danger here:
https://www.manitouspringsco.gov/733/Our-Current-Fire-Danger

05/28/2026

Manitou Springs is now in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Are As Follows:

Open Burning Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any outside fire, including campfires and warming fires.

- This current ban excludes fires in permanently constructed fire rings within the city’s RV and Camping Parks; and charcoal grills and smokers, and wood burning fireplaces, (chiminea) or fire pits with proper fitting screen covers and with a minimum of 15’ separation from structures or other combustible material at private residences. None of these exclusions permit a total fuel area greater than 3 feet in diameter, and all must have a flame height of less than 2 feet.

- Outdoor Smoking Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any to***co product or similar material in ci******es, ci**rs, or pipes outdoors. This excludes smoking in enclosed buildings or structures, and along Manitou Avenue. Discarding of a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe to***co product is strictly prohibited.

These restrictions do not apply to gas-fueled grills used out-of-doors, or to fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves. Additionally, compliant fireplaces and wood-burning stoves within private residences are not included.

For more information on current fire danger:
https://www.manitouspringsco.gov/733/Our-Current-Fire-Danger

05/28/2026

City of Manitou Springs Government checking out our new Mini-Pumper. When the roads get narrow, which they do in Manitou, you need smaller apparatus to access those areas. This new rig will help MSVFD respond to emergencies in tightest of Manitou neighborhoods more efficiently. More info to come!

05/19/2026

Wanna get paid to help protect your community? Think about joining the Manitou Springs Fire Department!! Now hiring for Engine Boss and Wildland Firefighter 1 & 2 positions. Check the link below to apply.

https://www.manitouspringsco.gov/173/_Human-Resources

05/14/2026

May is Wildfire Preparedness Month. Check out these helpful links from our friends at El Paso County Public Health.

- Wildfire Preparedness Guide:
https://pproem.com/document/preparing-wildfire-guide.pdf

- Sign up for Peak Alerts so you can be notified quickly in an emergency:
www.PeakAlerts.org

Also, tonight is the Manitou Springs Wildfire Resilient Landscaping Workshop.

Join us and special guests tonight, Thursday May 14th, 2026.

Learn how to make your home more defensible to wildfire. Held at the Jack Willie Gym, Manitou Springs High School from 6 to 9 pm.
For any questions, please reach out to: [email protected]

City of Manitou Springs Government

May is National Wildfire Preparedness Month — a perfect time to make sure you and your family are ready.

Having a plan and staying informed can make all the difference.
• Check out this helpful Wildfire Preparedness Guide from PPROEM:https://pproem.com/document/preparing-wildfire-guide.pdf

• Make sure you’re signed up for Peak Alerts so you can be notified quickly in an emergency: www.PeakAlerts.org

Other tips you can share with your household:
• Create defensible space around your home
• Gather important documents in one place
• Keep an emergency kit ready to go

Stay prepared, stay safe, and help others do the same by sharing this post.

05/13/2026

Proactive property mitigation and wildfire preparedness help protect homes, reduce fire spread, and strengthen the safety and resilience of the entire community. Chipper season is upon us! Take advantage of this opportunity to help make your community more wildfire prepared. City of Manitou Springs Government runs the chipper program. Please see the shared link for more information!

05/12/2026

Check out our cameos in the newly released "Our Place In The Peaks" music video!

This project grew out of art teacher, Carrie Dunlap and music teacher, Danny Tramel’s work with the District Arts Integration Core Team and was made possible through the generous support of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund. Its purpose was to give students the opportunity to collaborate with one another and with local artists to create something both musical and visual that reflects the heart of our community.

The "Our Place In The Peaks" project features an original song written by Danny Tramel, with instrumental contributions from Manitou graduates, harmonies from the High School Chamber Choir, voices of all K–5 students at MSES, and was professionally audio engineered by our MSMS music teacher, Taylor Weimer. The song is a warm, folksy tune that paints a picture of our town and its surrounding landscapes. Through their voices, the students describe Manitou as a place where individuals are free to be unique and where everyone is cared for.

Created from the perspective of our K-5 artists, the mural transforms the song into a vibrant visual story. Students painted papers and created hand-cut collage representations of our town from flowers and trees to buildings and schools. It highlights beloved landmarks, natural features, and everyday moments that make Manitou Springs so special. With the support of local artist Sallie Hall, the mural radiates the unique and artistic values of our community.

Together, the song and mural capture both the past and present of our town through the eyes of those who will shape its future.

Amazing job by all involved. Making Manitou Proud!!

Check out the official music video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgS7t-Lii-g

05/11/2026

Please attend our Wildfire Resilient Landscaping Workshop event on Thursday May 14th. Thank you to the City of Manitou Springs Government for helping to spread the word! It takes us all to prepared for Wildfire!

Wildfire prevention starts with all of us.

Join us for a Manitou Springs Wildfire Resilient Landscaping Workshop on May 14 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at Jack Willie Gym at Manitou Springs High School.

This is a great opportunity to learn simple, practical steps you can take to reduce wildfire risk on your property. When each homeowner takes action, it strengthens our entire community—helping limit how fires spread, protect neighbors, and create a safer, more resilient Manitou Springs.

We are all in this together.