According to the Tri-County Volunteer Fire Department, the crash of an experimental drone is believed to have sparked a wildfire near Calhan on October 30. While this part of Eastern Colorado is sparsely populated, the wildland fire was rapidly moving toward multiple structures.

The situation prompted a response from several fire departments, who were able to contain the fire at 83 acres with the loss of only one small outbuilding-type structure. Some reports indicate that other structures may have been damaged, though the extent of that damage remains unclear at time of reporting.

While the fire was relatively small and contained within about an hour after sparking at 12:30 p.m., an evacuation order was issued for residents on Big Springs Road.

Multiple fire departments responded to the blaze, including Ellicott, Tri-County, Limon, a wildland fire unit, Calhan, Simla, Falcon, Cimmaron Hills, Hanover, and Fountain.

The source of the “experimental drone” was not noted in the press release from official sources on the matter. KRDO did, however, report that the drone was not from a hobbyist and that a company that operates near where the fire occurred does experimental aircraft testing.