My poor city is on fire. Well, the foothills surrounding my city are. With all of the smoke settling on us, you’d think the fire was in our backyards. For many, it is. The fire, presumably started by lightening on Saturday has spread to 46,000 acres with 10% containment thanks to dry and windy conditions, as well as the many dead trees from the pine beetle. It has damaged or destroyed around 100 structures and has left people homeless. I took this pic on Sunday from my house. I wish it was just an ordinary sunset, but it’s not.
Myself and my family aren’t in eminent danger, but so many people have lost their homes and even their pets. It’s incredibly sad. I grew up here and this is the first time I’ve experienced a fire so close to home. The fire has destroyed the very places we spend all summer hiking, including Old Flowers Road, Grey Rock, and Lory State Park.
This photo was taken from Horsetooth Reservoir, just a few miles from our house a couple of days ago:
I want to send a thank you to all of those who are working night and day trying to save as many homes and animals from this devastating fire as possible. With no rain in our forecast, we’re looking at a very slow-going containment, so send us your positive vibes, good thoughts, and a little rain dance couldn’t hurt.
(Check out the Coloradoan for updates.)
The good news is they are making headway on this firestorm and in the end our forests will be healthier for it. 😉
Very true, Sandi. How close did the fire get to your house?
Breaks my heart…all those great places up by Horsetooth, including the spot Ryan proposed to me. 🙁 Sending positive thoughts
🙁 I know…You’re not going to want to see it when you guys come out to visit…it’s not going to look the same for years…
Oh my goodness. Please stay safe! The last time i was in Boulder, there was a huge fire that left many homeless. It was one of the saddest things I have ever personally experienced. You guys and your beautiful land are in my thoughts.
Thank you, Angela. Yes, it’s so surreal. Sadly, it’s going to take weeks before it’s 100% contained.
So sad, and SO scary! We’ve been getting smoke from the fire, and from the one in Park Cnty too… I hate wildfires. The worst part is that if we didn’t work so hard to prevent them, when they did happen they wouldn’t be as bad. Thinking of you and everyone near FoCo 🙁
Thanks, Barb. The darn beetle kill has made our forests into paper trees. With that and the dry conditions, it’s created this “perfect storm” for such a devastating fire.
My heart goes out to you and your neighbors. Those photos you’ve shared are surreal. It is hard to believe. My thoughts are with you all.
Thank you, Kelly!
That smoke plume on Sunday was like something out of a disaster movie, wasn’t it? We could see actual flames in the distance from our bedroom window that night, which was kind of surreal. I can’t even begin to express my gratitude for the more than 1200 people fighting this fire. I’m confident they will prevail. And then we will see a different landscape for the next decade, that’s for sure.
Often we forget how much “not-in-control” we really are. Sometimes the reminders are tragically devastating. Praying for rain and the safety of all involved.
I can only hope that people obey the fire ban throught the summer and especially on the 4th of July. I remember the Heyman fire 10 years ago and to think that the High Park fire is even worse than that is hard to imagine. Hope your home stays safe and hopefully the wonderful men and women who are working their butts off to contain it will catch a break soon.