Waldo canyon fire

[Traveler]

Saturday I was visiting my daughter and her family. We decided to go to the cave of the winds for a family outing. On our way I noticed a small cloud from a fire and mentioned in passing - that does not look good. From the parking lot of the cave of the winds we could see flames and while in the cave our tour was cut short as the area was being evacuated because of the fire.

When we left, from the parking lot the flames were much more visible and were about 2 miles away. I estimated the flames we could see were about 60 to 80 feet in the air. The news later indicated that the flames were over 100 feet. Because the fire was north of where we were and because there was a wind from the south - I did not feel we were in danger but being so close and having such a perspective - it was obvious that the fire, under conditions here, was going to be out of control for some time and that there are a lot of homes in Colorado Springs in danger.

I am thinking that the fire is man caused and since there is a state wide ban on camping fires and such - I do not think the fire to be much of an accident as much as either a deliberate act of arson or foolish act of breaking the law. Because this has become a national emergency - all our tax dollars are being used. Like most things in life - what other do affects us as well. Freedom ends when others are disregarded by our actions.

The Traveler

[NeuroTypical]

Yep - I'm just on the other side of the 'prepare for a possible evacuation' line here in Colorado Springs right now. The morning news tells me it's now 3500 acres, but not a single structure has been lost so far.

Here it was on Saturday afternoon, when it was under 500 acres:

[Vort]

Where's Waldo?

[Guest]

Wow, that's some fire.

My SIL lives in Co. Springs.

[Traveler]

today - Wednesday in Colorado Springs - over 10% have evacuated.

The Traveler

[NeuroTypical]

32000 people now ordered evacuated. A friend's fiance, and maybe two other coworkers have probably lost homes. The Air Force Academy is on mandatory evacuation, as is my place of employment. The kids and I wore N95 masks in the car as we went shopping.

Wow, that's some fire.

No, this is some fire - two days later, picture taken further away than the first picture:

[beefche]

My best friend's parents and sister live in CS. They have not been evacuated yet and live more north than where the fire is spreading. She said the church is being organized to help in various ways there.

[NeuroTypical]

I haven't seen anything official yet. But there's a facebook page for us mormons to coordinate how much space we have and who we can take - set up by someone I don't know.

[Guest]

That picture is horrifying, LMM. My SIL had pretty scary views of the fire yesterday, but she says it's shifted since and her part of town doesn't seem to be in danger. Her husband teaches at the AF Academy, though. I wonder what will happen with work. I feel very badly for the people who are losing their homes.

[Echo2002]

That's a scary picture. I hope you guys get some rain soon, or the winds stop blowing.

[pam]

Here is a picture from the TheDenverChannel.com

[beefche]

Remember, it isn't just homes, but businesses that are being lost as well. From my bff's email:

One of the saddest losses so far is the Flying W Ranch. It has burned to the ground. It was a family-owned business since 1953 where they put on shows, have a cowboy BBQ dinner, a little wedding chapel and receptions... So sad. There is a big Verizon building a half-mile from sister's old house, where BILh used to work and where BIL's brother still works... we hope. If it is damaged or destroyed, that's a few hundred people who will be out of a job. It's not just homes and possessions, it's jobs and careers. It's just awful.

[pam]

Wildfire victims crowd shelters as fight continues | ksl.com

An article about the Waldo fire.

[applepansy]

My cousins daughter is there. Everyone is mobilizing to help those who this fire is adversely affecting. This is a horrifying fire.

I pray the firefighters will be safe.

[NeuroTypical]

There are big purple rainclouds all over the place - including the fire area. I don't see rain yet - but it looks like it could happen.

I did just get a text from the Chick-fil-A next to my work - in the mandatory evac zone. They claim they will be open for lunch tomorrow.

I've come to hold Chick-fil-a in high regards. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to discover they are correct, and I'll get to go to work tomorrow.

[Bini]

Been following the news updates on these fires. I assume most of us are unaffected but for those of you that are, or have family that are, my thoughts are with you. I understand those directly affected have been evacuated but I saw that some have actually lost their homes to the fire. I know fire fighters have been working around the clock, and I think I heard on lastnight's news that a couple fire fighters were seriously injured.

[NeuroTypical]

Here's the latest from Colorado Springs:

* Worst fire in CO history - 300+ homes gone.

* No injuries or deaths to fire personnel.

* A small handful of missing people not yet accounted for - it is possible some ignored evac orders, it is possible they're just not checking in.

* Under a dozen 'potential looters' arrested for trying to enter evac areas.

Three co-workers probably lost homes, as well as the fiance of a fourth. My work was evac'd Tue evening. We're had air quality issues, and kids and I actually drove around wearing N95 masks for a part of yesterday (nobody else was wearing masks).

But this afternoon, everything clouded up and got cool. We've opened the windows of the house for the first time in 3 days, and are looking forward to our first night in a house that isn't pushing 80 degrees.

They're reporting the fire is 10% contained, up from 5%. They're also telling us not to get too excited about this being over.

[annewandering]

There is one in Pocatello now. Has burned at least one home. (

[MorningStar]

I just visited Colorado Springs last year. Heartbreaking to see so many homes destroyed.

[Jennarator]

My step sons live in pOCETELLO AREA, SO FAR THEY ARE IS A GOOD AREA....

[annewandering]

The house toll is up to 10 last I heard in Pocatello.

[pam]

I've merged the two fire threads so we just have one.

[applepansy]

My cousin's daughter lives in New Castle, Co. She posted 7 hours ago "we are surround by hell on Earth"

I'm praying these fires end soon.

[NeuroTypical]

The Waldo Canyon fire is still going, but it's threat to Colorado Springs and other population areas seems to have largely gone away. They've lifted many evacuation orders. I should be able to go back to work on Monday. No more massive column of smoke crossing the sky and turning the air red. Now all the talk is about evacuation areas, avoiding scammers, and we've found our first body in a burned house of someone who ignored the evacuation order.

The number of people I work with or personally know who have been evacuated and may have lost homes, is around a dozen or so.

[pam]

I understand LM that there may be one more body since there were two reported missing. It was just too dark for them to continue the search yesterday.