One building and a corral burned today after dry lightning strikes ignited at least four grass fires that were nourished by strong wind gusts.

El Paso County Sheriff's Lt. Lari Sevene said authorities received at least six calls about 2 p.m. of fires in the area, roughly 15 miles east of Colorado Springs.

Sevene said deputies notified residents in a "a handful - maybe three or four" homes to evacuate or prepare to evacuate. No injuries to people or animals were reported.

Two of the fires were under control by 4 p.m. Wednesday.

As of 5:00 p.m., some 1,000 acres had been consumed by four separate fires.

Staci Kepphan, 32, was at work as a veterinary technician in Colorado Springs when family members called and told her a wind-whipped fire was fast approaching.

"Oh my God, my cats," she thought as she drove east out of Colorado Springs.. "There was black smoke. I followed a sheriff's car in."

Authorities closed U.S. 24 and Murphy Road between Smith Range Road and Peyton Highway.

While en route, she kept in touch by cell phone with family members. A neighbor came with a tractor and dumped dirt around her property to create a fire line. The blaze came within 20 feet of her home.

The building that burned appeared to be a barn-like garage structure; a car and motorcycles could be seen inside it.

Firefighters are focusing on saving homes and property, Sevene said.

"We'll let grass burn if we have to," she said. "Life safety is our primary concern."