Another Smoky Morning

The High Park fire, which started in Rist Canyon, is still completely out of control, and has spread to over 36,930 acres.  One resident is known to be missing, and is feared lost to the fire.  Almost 2,000 homes have been evacuated - many of them not having time to evacuate their livestock: horses, cattle, goats, sheep, llamas, pigs, and all types of fowl.  Even a wolf sanctuary has been cleared out, partially.  The owners have been building "fire dens" to protect the wolves from just such a calamity as is upon them, and about half of the wolves are still in their usual areas.  A Health Advisory has been issued along the Front Range, as there is a great deal of smoke, ash, and particulates in the air.  A smoke plume of over 100 miles extends into Nebraska...  Then, of course, there is the fire in southwest Colorado, as well as the two fires in New Mexico.  It's windy and dry...  and fire Marshall's and the state government are comparing this fire to the 2002 Hayman Fire that burned over 1,000 square miles, and burned for over 4 weeks.  Some people have been told to evacuate, but have refused to do so.
    My kits are running in and out this morning, and I've already walked Aiko and Yoshi.  Their family is due back tonight, so I'll be able to sleep with my kits tonight and tomorrow night. (Hooray!)  I need to walk the red kids today and tomorrow; and I start caring for Phoenix and Patches tonight.  On Wednesday, I move in with Rosie and Remy, and on Thursday evening I add Sasquatch and Tugger to the mix, with Brandi joining the care circle on Friday.Bret, who belongs to Phoenix and Patches, returns home on Saturday; Brandi's family comes back around noon on Sunday, and the other two sets have families returning on Monday afternoon/evening.  Then I have a week at home before I move in with Maggie May.  It will be wonderful to spend a week at home with Lovey and Nedi!
    Just a little bit of thoroughbred news:  Trainer Bob Baffert says that Paynter, who finished second in the Belmont, lost a shoe during the race.  And Union Rags was on his way back to Fair Hill training stables in Elkton, Maryland about four hours after winning the third leg of the Triple Crown.  He unloaded there early Sunday morning, and Michael Matz said that he headed directly for his own stall.