6.27.2012

Colorado Fires

This has nothing to do with crocheting, but it's been weighing heavily on my mind lately. As most people know by now, Colorado (my home state) is having a record number of wildfires this year. They seem to be everywhere and keep getting worse.

The most destructive fire in Colorado history is burning west of Ft. Collins at over 87,000 acres with more than 250 homes destroyed. Let that sink in for a minute... As horrible as that fire is, the one that is always on my mind is called the Waldo Canyon fire on the west side of Colorado Springs. More than 32,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, including the Air Force Academy. The fires continues to burn and has reached over 15,000 acres. I literally saw this fire start. On Saturday my family and I were at a wedding around noon. The pictures below tell the story:

Left: We went into the reception around noon; Right: 3 hours later when we came out 
June 27th - RachelleGardner.com
June 27th - NowPublic.com

Horrific pictures aside, I have friends that live in Springs. The happy couple that was married on Saturday spent their wedding night in Manitou Springs (west of town). They were awoken at 1:00 in the morning and told to evacuate. Their house is now only 6 blocks from the evacuation line!

Red - fire, Purple - Manditory Evac, Yellow - Pre-Evac
There is also a fire burning about 70-80 miles from my house, east of Leadville, called the Treasure Fire. So far it's been pretty well contained and is only (only?!) 320 acres and we're not at risk. We also just got some RAIN and it looks to be moving towards Springs!!! At last look I think there are 11 fires burning all over the state. So we need all your prayers and good thoughts to help all the men and women fighting the fires, and all the people and property that's at risk!!