Today's Numbers:
58,056 acres burned; still at 45% containment; 1,700 fire fighters; 17 helicopters (if winds not too severe); fire grew 1,500 acres Sunday, in part due to the increased windiness along the Rocky Mountain region; $12.6 million to fight....thus far.
The Springer Fire, west of Colorado Springs, in the Lake George area, has grown to 970 acres; 400 fire fighting personnel; 2 single engine tankers diverted from the High Park fire; this fire may well have been human caused--purposely.
The following YouTube footage was shot yesterday and posted today by soccer1105:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5Vcl4AAUdI
Notice how windy it was yesterday. Very dismaying. I noticed those winds had shifted direction twice during the day, a challenging factor for those gallant fire fighting teams already hard at work to save what they can of our forested land and homes within it.
There is a general haze most afternoons along the Foothills in our county, except when it's downright smokey, and even much further south, but in Ft Collins, haze is the least of the worries. The density of the smoke, and the drifting ash blown on the winds into people's yards have become worrisome for many residents.
Here is a Red Cross video sharing the special kits that are soon to be distributed to those homeowners whose homes did incur fire damage. I had not heard of this being done before. Truly, this is an amazing community run effort!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaQmZYN5yMU
This courageous volunteering couple continued to volunteer even after having also been evacuated. It's a short video, a real heart-warmer.
More Ft Collins ( very short) footage of windy conditions with heavy smoke cloud posted by upaboveit26 :
High winds had been in the forecast. They gusted here, but not as heavily as appeared to have happened in the above video.
This next video is worth a chuckle. And it shows how life goes on in our mountain town of Estes park, even as the High Park Fire eats away at a hillside in the not too far distance. The smoke is pretty apparent, towering miles into the sky above the area.
Llama Limbo! in Estes Park, Colorado at their Wool Market. Posted by knitnspin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc4-J56EOUI
Tribute to Our Brave Fire Fighters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6IDdZSYWKs
Thanks to any reading
Peace
PW
Sources:
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20882380/colorado-wildfire-extreme-weather-conditions-stoke-high-park
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20883630
http://www.gazette.com/articles/rumors-140431-firefighters-spread.html
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Jacob Sugarman
Hesham A. Hassaballa
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Chauncey DeVega
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Delorys Welch-Tyson
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Comments
R♥
Ouchie! Burned my paw!! STUPID FIRE!! :D
RATED!
Bad fire!
:D
The llama video was funny, I feel a little bad they have to have those haircuts, but appreciate you putting in something bright.
The haircuts, or sheering for spinning their wool, are meant to keep the llamas cool in summer's heat, while allowing their wool to be processed and dyed, woven, knitted, etc.
It's really humane. They'd messily shed half of it anyway, and still become overheated part of the time.
I think they're adorable.
:)
Love the llama!
And the Llamas are just to help lighten the mood a wee bit.
Take very good care.
:(
Something's rotten in Denmark/OS.
The last comment I received was 9:35 Pm EST. It's now after midnight on the east coast.
This just isn't right.
What gives?
Not only that, it heartens me to know I may sound the alert for those whose lives may never have been touched directly by fire, but who yet could find themselves dealing with its every consequence this summer.
There simply is no excuse for not routinely keeping the high grasses clipped and all brush and dry timber cleared from one's land. So I am trumpeting that this ought to be cared for before it is too late to be done. Also, how it's best to prearrange to have one's pets fostered for one if evacuation orders happen to be given.
There were actually people who refused, point blank, to leave their homes when the High Park fire evacuations were first called.
That someone has died who refused contact with the police is surely tragic. She was probably either ill or afraid her home might get robbed while she was away, and thus didn't leave, and so is now dead.
Ignorance isn't bliss when it comes to fire danger.
Bless you--So glad you stopped by so I could get that off my chest!