Submitted byP: Kathy Hawkins
Fire Report from Deyos
June 14, 2013, updated June 15
Holly Deyo
Friends,
Apologies for not updating the site today as there is much to cover, but numerous things prohibited it. Thank you for the concerned calls and emails. We are OK.
First, we had an appointment and left at 6:30 am after walking around outside just for a minute. When we arrived I looked at both of our shirts and there was blackish ash all over us. We're not even close to the fire(s) – probably a good hour away from the Black Forest event. The Canyon City/Royal Gorge fire is about 20 minutes away, and 40% contained (contained does not mean 'extinguished'). It is smaller and more controlled so it's not a threat either. The other Colorado fires are south, east and further north. From our years on the farmlet in Australia, we kept our own firefighting equipment and have done so here as well. There is even a fire hydrant directly across the street so if the worst happened, we're better prepared than most.
First, we had an appointment and left at 6:30 am after walking around outside just for a minute. When we arrived I looked at both of our shirts and there was blackish ash all over us. We're not even close to the fire(s) – probably a good hour away from the Black Forest event. The Canyon City/Royal Gorge fire is about 20 minutes away, and 40% contained (contained does not mean 'extinguished'). It is smaller and more controlled so it's not a threat either. The other Colorado fires are south, east and further north. From our years on the farmlet in Australia, we kept our own firefighting equipment and have done so here as well. There is even a fire hydrant directly across the street so if the worst happened, we're better prepared than most.
Overnight the Black Forest fire burned yet more homes for a total of 473 residences in ruins. Seventeen others are partially damaged. It is 30% contained. Compared to yesterday when it was at zero, this is progress. Due to partial containment and wind direction, officials thought no more homes would burn, but fires have their own agenda and another 40 were lost. Coloradans are definitely under judgment. Of the 9 Colorado fires in the last 4 days, some have started from lightning and at least one from someone throwing a cigarette out of his car. The cause of a few fires have not been determined, but it looks like the Black Forest fire was human-caused.
Last year when we suffered through the state's worst-ever fire, the Waldo Canyon event – almost a year to the day – burned 346 homes. The Black Canyon fire has now surpassed this. This sums up the two fires:
| Black Forest | Waldo Canyon | |
| Start Date | June 11, 2013 | June 20, 2012 |
| Containment | June 20, 2013 (est.) | July 10, 2012 |
| Acres Burned | 15,702 | 18.247 |
| Homes Burned | 473 | 346 |
| People Evacuated | 38,000 | 32,000 |
It is unusually hot and extremely dry here – a statewide tinderbox. You know it's not a good sign when at 4 a.m. it's already 75ยบ outside. Even when temps hit the 90s during the day, spring nights in Colorado usually cool down into the 50s, which makes for good sleeping. While our unincorporated location isn't under water restrictions, many other areas of the state are. Colorado Springs is allowed to water TWICE a week and for only 3 hours each session. Depending on the plant, it will be touch and go whether trees, grass, veggie gardens, etc. survive. In the long run, it'd be more cost effective to let lawns die and put the water to trees.
Several times a week, a friend and I hike our 4 dogs at the lake and every time we go the water looks lower. Snow melt, such as it was this spring, did nothing to fill it and pretty soon even more water will be released to supply farmers in Kansas. Colorado Springs also uses Pueblo Reservoir for water storage so they will probably opt for reserves as well.
At this minute, the air east of us in Pueblo (the city) not our development of Pueblo West, is filled with dust and haze brought in from the eastern plains. 45mph wind gusts have stirred the dirt and smoke. Pueblo West sits in a semicircle of mountains. At the moment the Rockies are invisible in all directions.
News just came in there is now a fire southwest of us in the San Isabel National Forest, a place we drive to frequently. Guess that explains some of the air's muck. Now comes word of yet another fire out in Lamar County where that haboob looking duststorm hit last weekend.
Photo: John and Jane Stulp witnessed this massive dust storm approaching their farm near Lamar. Seven such storms have hit the area since November. (Jane Stulp, Special to The Denver Post)
Photo: John and Jane Stulp witnessed this massive dust storm approaching their farm near Lamar. Seven such storms have hit the area since November. (Jane Stulp, Special to The Denver Post)
There is good news on the Black Canyon fire. "Firetrucks from the sky" (rain) fell on Colorado Springs, which was a huge gift. Some wildlife is starting to come back. Mandatory evacuations have been lifted for Canyon City/Royal Gorge, but not for all Colorado Springs. Voluntary evacs for the county are still in place. People will be allowed back into their homes with ID. For those with Internet access, they can check online the Black Forest Fire Initial Home Assessment Document to see if their home is destroyed or partially damaged. If it's absent from the list, consider one of the 3,181 homes that was saved. Hopefully, if things remain on this track, the Black Canyon fire will have taken a permanent turn for the better.
Unfortunately there is a scam artist on the prowl who is going to hotels and trying obtain credit card and other personal information from wildfire victims. If anyone approaches you, give them a miss and no details.
Unfortunately there is a scam artist on the prowl who is going to hotels and trying obtain credit card and other personal information from wildfire victims. If anyone approaches you, give them a miss and no details.
People in these fire areas have been amazing. They have opened their homes to strangers who have lost theirs. Support to firefighters have been spectacular. Residents in Canyon City right at this minute line the streets with signs showing their thanks for getting on top of the Royal Gorge fire. Old people, young people, people with babies have filled the main thoroughfare so thankful for all their help. The fire could have jumped the hogbacks and come right down the main street, but thanks to firefighters, they stopped it. Highway 50 is back open, which is the main highway between Canyon City, through Pueblo and out east onto the Mesa. Unfortunately the heavily attended tourist attraction of the Royal Gorge lost 48 of its 52 structures, but it could have been much worse. The massive Royal Gorge bridge is intact with only minor damage and the new zip line is untouched.
News people have stayed on air around the clock. And the firefighters.... there are no words. They have worked non-stop – and still are – until ready to drop. Area agencies, especially Care and Share Food Banks collected massive quantities of Gatorade, protein snacks, Chapstick, meals to go, waters and other provisions firefighters need. Like many communities around our Nation when the SHTF they come together. It is another testament to the innate goodness and generous hearts of Americans. We are NOT our politicians.
A new video captures Colorado Springs firefighters shielding a Black Forest home from oncoming flames. It is a perfect example of how to protect your home. This should be mandatory viewing for every person, whether living in a fire-prone area or not. The narrator explains vital do's and don't's, some things that aren't readily obvious, which helped save this home. Go here and scroll to the bottom of the page.
A new video captures Colorado Springs firefighters shielding a Black Forest home from oncoming flames. It is a perfect example of how to protect your home. This should be mandatory viewing for every person, whether living in a fire-prone area or not. The narrator explains vital do's and don't's, some things that aren't readily obvious, which helped save this home. Go here and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Stan wanted me to share that the site from where he gets his earthquake map data has been off for about a week, so his maps have either been sketchy at best or unavailable.
One woman who lost her home last year in the Waldo Canyon fire shared this advice. Take as much as you can, know in advance what it will be. Some people last year had only time enough to grab a couple of T-shirts. She shared that when she went in to replace clothes she might be in a store several hours and come out with nothing. People are so shell-shocked, sometimes it's not possible to make even the smallest decision.
One woman who lost her home last year in the Waldo Canyon fire shared this advice. Take as much as you can, know in advance what it will be. Some people last year had only time enough to grab a couple of T-shirts. She shared that when she went in to replace clothes she might be in a store several hours and come out with nothing. People are so shell-shocked, sometimes it's not possible to make even the smallest decision.
She also advised people to find rental housing quickly as there aren't that many available and now this skinny market needs another 400 residences. It took 11 months for her new home to be built and that was at the short end of the timetable.
She told people to let others help you. Times ahead will be really hard. She said that we're really good givers, but not good takers and to let people help. Last, before breaking down, she shared that this is going to be a really tough year – again. This is our second back-to-back extreme drought year so be ready, be prepared. Worse is coming.
That's the news from the Wild West. Back on board tomorrow. —Stan and Hollyhttp://standeyo.com/NEWS/13_Earth_Changes/130614.Colorado.fire.Deyos.html
Pastor Lee ADDS: Please pray for all in Colorado. Pray for not only their safety, but for the preservation of their belongings. Pets too!
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