Colorado on fire, just tooo many wild fires going on right now

[Eden Marel]

It's been just so dang hot and dry, and there are just too many fires going on right now. I really wish there would be abundant rain to help put all these fires out, but the forecast says naught. Just more dry triple digit heat.

My former classmate whom I considered a friend lost her home, barn, and cabin last night to the High Park Fire. And supposedly the place where they evacuated their animals are going to kick them out at the end of the month to make room for new incoming animals.

I can not even begin to imagine the things my friend and the people who have lost a lot in the fire in their area, since I've yet to from a disaster nor have ever been displaced from my home. And of course, I cannot even begin to think of the fear the wild animals that once lived their peacefully living their life are feeling right now., nor can I even imagine what else could be racing in their minds as they struggle to survive.

My heart is with them, and I truly wish my salty tears could really help put the fire out. I wish them the best, as well as everyone on the front lines fighting all these fires in the blazing heat...

[BruceF]

Very sad. I hope Alphily is okay.

[moosenart]

We had no snow in the winter combined with these outrageous temps in June. I can't imagine the heat in August. It's terrible.

[Swimswimswim]

I know I'm down in Durango and we are blocked in on 3 sides by fires ... The smoke is horrible. Every morning there is a layer of ash to catch your car.

[HypnoticAquatic]

this may be a big inconvenience but its 100% needed and good for the land as its been very poorly managed and now this is the end result of having only old and mature trees that cant fight disease then die and burn. i will put my money on that this will still contenue for a few years until everything gets back to a equilibrium in the forests. its a good eye opener to see how precious this place is and how we need to take better care of it to keep it safe for everyone.

hopefully its a big eye opener for people to see that fires are a necessity for a healthy forest and need be left to burn and renew just save any homes that we can save. also properties up there need firebreaks and removal of dead debris near structures.

hope everyone's not overly effected by this but remember its needed.

[Alplily]

Hi all, I am doing OK up here. Saturday morning, I went to Boulder (to pick up a great tank from Erica!) and when I returned there was a big fire starting on the west side of town... very near where I keep my horse Skylar! I rushed over, called a friend and told her I might need help. She and another friend quickly arrived with a trailer, loaded up all my gear and got Skylar evacuated to the Fairgrounds. Then we helped to evacuate 70 other horses from the stables in terrible heat for up here. It is never 90+ here and it has been for days. They immediately moved some air resources from the High Park fire just to our northeast -- several helicopters and a slurry bomber. If they had not done that, as quickly as they did, the entire west side of town could have gone up or worse. Fascinating to watch the air assault...The fire is now out, but it burned 22 homes and 20 acres and got within striking distance of the stables. The entire state seems to be burning. Yesterday I could see smoke from three fires from my home. One colleague has lost his home and I am waiting to hear about another. All told, I feel very fortunate (thanks and kudos to the fire fighters and air support). My heart goes out to everyone dealing with the fires...

[moosenart]

Originally Posted by HypnoticAquatic

this may be a big inconvenience but its 100% needed and good for the land as its been very poorly managed and now this is the end result of having only old and mature trees that cant fight disease then die and burn. i will put my money on that this will still contenue for a few years until everything gets back to a equilibrium in the forests. its a good eye opener to see how precious this place is and how we need to take better care of it to keep it safe for everyone.

hopefully its a big eye opener for people to see that fires are a necessity for a healthy forest and need be left to burn and renew just save any homes that we can save. also properties up there need firebreaks and removal of dead debris near structures.

hope everyone's not overly effected by this but remember its needed.

We talked about that extensively in my biology class. Fire is bad fOr people, but it is 100% needed for forest health. Natural selection for animals/plants and people who choose to stay. But that's my opinion.

[Noahma]

Originally Posted by Alplily

Hi all, I am doing OK up here. Saturday morning, I went to Boulder (to pick up a great tank from Erica!) and when I returned there was a big fire starting on the west side of town... very near where I keep my horse Skylar! I rushed over, called a friend and told her I might need help. She and another friend quickly arrived with a trailer, loaded up all my gear and got Skylar evacuated to the Fairgrounds. Then we helped to evacuate 70 other horses from the stables in terrible heat for up here. It is never 90+ here and it has been for days. They immediately moved some air resources from the High Park fire just to our northeast -- several helicopters and a slurry bomber. If they had not done that, as quickly as they did, the entire west side of town could have gone up or worse. Fascinating to watch the air assault...The fire is now out, but it burned 22 homes and 20 acres and got within striking distance of the stables. The entire state seems to be burning. Yesterday I could see smoke from three fires from my home. One colleague has lost his home and I am waiting to hear about another. All told, I feel very fortunate (thanks and kudos to the fire fighters and air support). My heart goes out to everyone dealing with the fires...

I am very glad to hear you are ok.
We did several new house plans for the people that lost homes last year it's west of boulder. Not a fun process when you know the story behind the need to redesign and build

[moosenart]

Yay! Everyone is ok!

[SomebodySayJuan]

This isn't terribly surprising with the sheer amount of dead and damaged trees. Everywhere I've gone 4 wheeling or camping this year, the trails have just been surrounded by piles and piles of easily combustible fuel.

[madness]

Originally Posted by moosenart

We talked about that extensively in my biology class. Fire is bad fOr people, but it is 100% needed for forest health. Natural selection for animals/plants and people who choose to stay. But that's my opinion.

Some of us are old enough to remember the horror of the Yellowstone fire in the 80s and how...apocalyptic it felt at the time. I remember the scientists saying that Yellowstone would rebound very well from it but for 5-10 years it was hard to tell for sure. Everyone that I know who has been through recently though says that it is just as beautiful as ever (if not more so).

I haven't ever actually been to Yellowstone myself so I can't vouch for it (though I have been to Cody half a dozen times I somehow have managed to not ever set foot in the park itself).

Really, really sucks for the people and property involved.

alplily: it doesn't surprise me that so many people helped with the horse evacuations. My grandfather raised buggy racing horses and horse people always seem to stick together strongly.

[Msoar16]

Originally Posted by HypnoticAquatic

this may be a big inconvenience but its 100% needed and good for the land as its been very poorly managed and now this is the end result of having only old and mature trees that cant fight disease then die and burn. i will put my money on that this will still contenue for a few years until everything gets back to a equilibrium in the forests. its a good eye opener to see how precious this place is and how we need to take better care of it to keep it safe for everyone.

hopefully its a big eye opener for people to see that fires are a necessity for a healthy forest and need be left to burn and renew just save any homes that we can save. also properties up there need firebreaks and removal of dead debris near structures.

hope everyone's not overly effected by this but remember its needed.

Head up to Poudre Canyon and start talking like that.

[HypnoticAquatic]

Originally Posted by Msoar16

Head up to Poudre Canyon and start talking like that.

? peoples emotions will always run high when they are going through something like this but its the honsest truth that its for the best intrest of the land while it might not be what we want its what the land needs to regenerate its just part of a natural eco system. i probably have a very different outlook than most but it doesnt change the facts that living in specific areas are prone to specific types of disasters and to be able to survive through them specific things needs to be done to try and help minimise the effect to your property and neighbors.

most mtn folks will actually help more than someone thats not from up there as they understand that they need to be more tight knit to survive away from the city life its like brothers in arms you may not know him but if u need him someone will be there to help you out.

[Msoar16]

I agree completely with your science, just question your intelligence on the timing and lack of compassion you have for what is happening. Hell I wish SoCal would vanish at the next big quake, but I would not be calling all the victims out during the disaster.

[Msoar16]

Originally Posted by SomebodySayJuan

This isn't terribly surprising with the sheer amount of dead and damaged trees. Everywhere I've gone 4 wheeling or camping this year, the trails have just been surrounded by piles and piles of easily combustible fuel.

Thank you government for that. Maybe we stop being the world's charity bank that never gets repaid and start investing in out own future?