Published June 27, 2012 10:27AM
A wildfire that burned parts of Colorado Springs Tuesday night threatened the offices of USA Cycling and forced a number of USAC staff and other cycling industry members from their homes. All told, approximately 32,000 people were evacuated Tuesday night as the Waldo Canyon fire tore into the city under fierce winds and extremely dry conditions.
The USA Cycling headquarters, which opened in 2009, was within the evacuation zone. A USAC official said Tuesday night that there would be an update on the status of the headquarters midday Wednesday. Also within the evacuation zone was Garden of the Gods, site of the prologue for the 2011 USA Pro Challenge.
“The office is obviously in the mandatory evacuation zone so we are closed for today,” USA Cycling communications director Andrea Smith wrote this morning. “All senior personnel and those who are able to work from home will be doing so. We are having a call shortly to discuss plans moving forward and will send more information ASAP.”
Meanwhile, the fire forced a number of cycling industry members, including frequent U.S. race spokesman Steve Brunner, from their homes. Mike Creed, father of the Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies rider of the same name and sales director at Colorado Cyclist, lost his home in the blaze.
The U.S. Olympic Committee has cancelled its board of directors meeting scheduled for Thursday.
Editor’s note: Keep your browser pointed to VeloNews.com for more on the Waldo Canyon Fire’s impact on USA Cycling.