Current Wildfires in Colorado

There are eleven wildfires burning in the state of Colorado at the moment.  That doesn't count the small fire that broke out in some trees yesterday afternoon in the city limits of Littleton.  In that fire, named the Wildland, someone tossed a cigarette butt without it being "out"; the resultant fire burned through four back yards and destroyed a garage, plus some adult trees.  Sheer carelessness and stupidity caused that half-acre fire.  Luckily, it was spotted quickly and two fire units were able to put the fire completely out.
   The 20 acre Golf Course fire at Grand Lake is 100 % contained.  It is still smoldering, but is not capable of spreading any further.
   The Badger Creek fire, which straddles the Colorado and Wyoming state borders, has burned 21,176 acres, and has 80 %  containment.
   The High Chateau fire, which is west of Wright's Reservoir and northeast of Cripple Creek, now has 75 % containment. It has consumed 1,400 acres so far.
   The Turret fire, at last report yesterday morning, had burned 6 acres and was 10 % contained.  That fire is located 21 miles northeast of Glenwood Springs.
  The Burro fire is burning in the San Juan National Forest, 14 miles south of Rico.  It is now 40 % contained, and has burned 4,415 acres.
   The Sugarloaf fire is located 13 miles southwest of Fraser, and has consumed 1,200 acres with no containment.
   The 416 fire continues to spread, 10 miles south of Durango.  It has burned 54,128 acres so far, and fire crews have reached a 45 % containment working for the past month.
   The Weston Pass fire has damaged one home and one out building, while burning 10,727 acres.  It is located 9 miles southwest of Fairplay, and has 5 % containment.
   The Adobe fire, 5 miles west of Wetmore in Custer County, has consumed 85 acres.  It has 0 % containment, and was started by lightning.
   The Lake Christine fire has 0 % containment, and had burned 2,377 acres.  It is burning west of the Basalt Gun Range, and it was started by the use of tracer bullets on the gun range.  Police are interviewing folks who were at the range when the fire began.
   Then there is the Spring fire.  It is burning in two counties (Costilla and Huerfano).  It is only 5 % contained, and has been burning for a month.  The fire has consumed 104 homes, and burned over 95,740 acres.  It was started by a homeless man, who had built a fire pit to cook some meat.  The man is a visitor from Denmark, and can't get a legal job in the United States because his Visa to the USA expired quite some time ago.  So Jesper Jorgenson has been panhandling and camping out on open, nationally owned lands.  He admits his fire pit was the beginning of the Spring fire....  What destruction this man hath wrought.....
    So, let's see - the total acreage burning and burned is at 191,284, which converts to 298.88 square miles. That means that almost 3.5 % of the state of Colorado is burning or has burned over the past month.  No wonder it's smoky and hazy.  No wonder folks with allergies and COPD are having a difficult time breathing.

   

Please be extremely careful with fire!

Wildfire Season - Twelve Are Burning Now...

June means wildfire season - and fires scare the daylights out of me.  The only type of death that frightens me is the thought of fire.  My husband was a firefighter, and his greatest fear was of drowning...  I always thought that was funny, for some reason.
   It was very windy all across Colorado, which was a bad thing, in relation to wildfires. There are two, or three, wildfires burning in the state at this time... The reason I'm not sure of the number is because one is called the Spool Fire, the smallest burning at 450 acres, and it's right at the state lines of Colorado and New Mexico.  The Fire Incident Report doesn't have an exact position.The Horse Park Fire, in San Miguel County has burned 1,221 acres; and the 416 Fire, south of Durango, is estimated at over 1,500 acres now, and 1,500 people have been evacuated from their homes.  In New Mexico, the community of Cimarron has been evacuated.
  Currently, 42,380 acres, or 66.21875 square miles, has been burned by the twelve current "Large" incidents listed...  Here they are:
1.   Pine Ridge Fire,   Uintah County, Utah   - 521 acres
2.   Buzzard Fire,   Catron County, New Mexico   -  24,341 acres
3.   Horse Park Fire,   San Miguel County, Colorado   -  1,221 acres
4.   416 Fire,   La Plata County, Colorado   - 1,500 acres
5.   Ute Park Fire,   Colfax County, New Mexico   -  3,900 acres
6.   Kellar Fire,   Eddy County, New Mexico   - 5,750 acres
7.   Lyons Fire,   Quay County, New Mexico   -  700 acres
8.   Brininstoll Fire,   Lea County, New Mexico   - 640 acres
9.   Spool Fire,   Colorado/New Mexico line   -  450 acres
10.  Webster Fire,    Minnesota   - 818 acres
11.  Cn 346-b Fire,   Alabama/Florida line   - 482 acres
12.  Tye River Fire,   Virginia   - 2,057 acres

We cannot control lightning strikes, which do ignite wildfires - but  - please, be extremely careful with matches, cigars, cigarettes, campfires, controlled burns, and, especially, fireworks this dry season.

Independence Day

On 2 July 1776, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia voted to declare the 13 colonies' independence from Great Britain.  A party of five, headed by Thomas Jefferson, was drafted to compose this declaration.  After many revisions, that Declaration of Independence was approved by a majority vote on 4 July.  The last signature was applied to the Declaration in August of that year.  But we citizens of the United States of America celebrate our "Independence Day" every July Fourth.  The size of our country has grown exponentially since the Founding Fathers decided to declare their independence from the government of another country across the sea, and yet, we are all "Proud Americans."  Happy Birthday, USA!
   The body of missing hiker Randy Udall was found yesterday in Wyoming.  The body was on its side, and still had his hands clasping walking poles.  An autopsy will be performed, but it is being assumed that the death was from natural causes.  The Udall family issued a statement saying that "...Randy died doing what he loved best, hiking in the Rocky Mountains."
   And the Colorado wildfires are still burning... the West Fork Complex fire has grown to 97,823 acres and is 7% contained......

Fawn Rescue, Dog Days, Missing Hiker & Gettysburg

Today is the first of the "Dog Days" of summer, with the star Sirius being seen with the sunrise each day.  Today is also the 150th anniversary of the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg; in those three days, there were a combined 57,225 men declared dead, wounded, or missing in action.  General Lee lost fully one-third of his officers during the battle in this tiny town.  On July 4, 150 years ago, there was a heavy rain in Pennsylvania, and both armies finally began to retreat.
   The search for the 61-year-old brother of Senator Mark Udall is intensifying in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming.  Randy Udall, who has hiked in the area for over 30 years, was due back a week ago; but has not been heard from.  Search teams are looking for him from the air, on foot, and on horse-back.
   The wildfires are still burning here and throughout the southwest.  Seeing a hazy sky is beginning to seem normal, due to all of the smoke and particulates in the air.
   I got off the bus at Riverside Avenue this morning, and neither saw nor heard anything amiss.  I walked past the construction site at Tara High School, walked on down to Redwood, and went inside a house to care for Tugger and Sasquatch.  After spending an hour feeding, medicating, grooming, and playing with the boys, I walked back to Riverside to grab Rosie for our daily walk.  As I was preparing to cross 19th Street, a doe with a pair of fawns nearly knocked me down, trying to evade traffic.  I crossed, and as I was approaching the corner (where Tara HS sits), I kept hearing a repeated high-pitched cry.  It sounded as if something were in pain, or was terribly scared, or both.  I walked quietly on, and saw a doe on the outside of the 7-foot-tall chain link construction site fence, and a fawn inside the fence.  The fawn kept running into the fence to get back with its' mother.  Both gates to the fence were wired shut - I have absolutely no idea how the fawn got inside the fence, but I knew it hadn't been there when I had arrived earlier.  I used my hands and untwisted the wires holding both gates closed; then I opened both gates to their fullest extent.  I walked around the building and approached the fawn - it started to run away, toward the open gates.  Then my brother-in-law ran by, with Boo the Samoyed; mother deer was not happy and charged at them, and as that happened, the fawn ran into the fence again, rebounded against me, and went back around the building.  I waved Jim on, then went across the street and asked a woman who had just parked her car to help me - she, in turn, recruited a runner in a red, white and blue shorts and tank top outfit.  Between us, we finally got the fawn out of the fence, and back with the doe.  I want to thank Melina, a teacher at the Waldorf PreSchool, and the runner, for their help.  I closed the gates back, walked Rosie and did the rest of my usual morning work routine.  - Even though it all occurred a little later than normal.

A Ken Curtis Salute

Our wildfires are still burning in Colorado and Arizona; there are a few new fires and a very few contained fires; most are continuing to increase in size.  Yesterday, following the deaths of the HotShot fire fighters, all crews working on live wildfires were called in, safety measures were again reviewed, and, if any fire fighter wished for time off, it was granted.  The Granite Mountain Hot Shot Fire team was well known, well traveled, well respected, and well loved.  They will be missed.
  Ninety-seven years ago, a son was born to the Sheriff of Bent County, Colorado.  The youngster grew up playing cowboys and Indians, working on cattle ranches and farms, and he learned to play the guitar and several other instruments.  He also had a wonderful voice.  As a child, he lived with his parents in the Old Bent County Jail in Las Animas, Colorado.  After his death, at his request, his ashes were scattered from an airplane over the county he grew up in...  I grew up in love with his irascible character on Gunsmoke, his alter-ego, Festus Haggen.  As I've grown, I've watched his performances with the Sons of the Pioneers, in a lot of movies and a lot of TV shows.  I always get a kick when he shows up in early episodes of Gunsmoke - the other day, on the Western Channel, he was playing a half-Sioux warrior, who helped Matt and Chester figure out a murder.  I particularly enjoy spotting him in the old John Wayne films - you're never quite sure what type of character he'll play.  When portraying Festus, he "put on" a high-pitched whiny voice and screwed up his normally handsome face; then, with his unkept-looking beard and almost always present hat, he had no trouble appearing as a true hay-seed.  Ken Curtis, I salute you!

South Fork Evacuees Allowed to Return

South Fork is the small community of 400 souls that was evacuated more than a week ago because of the West Fork Complex wildfire.  The fires - West Fork, Windy Pass, and Papoose - are still burning, over 95,000 acres now, with 2% containment.  The town of South Fork has had large fire breaks plowed around it, and the fire managers have deemed it safe for residents to return - but there is still heavy smoke and lots of particulates in the air.  Some of the citizens have returned, while others say they will wait until the air quality gets better.  The town of South Fork is kept alive by tourism - once the air clears a bit, I hope visitors will return in droves.
  About half of the wildfires that were burning last Sunday have either been totally contained, or are now extinguished.  But, two new wildfires were started by lightning strikes yesterday, and the others are still growing slowly.  -  And then there is the heat wave that has the southwest area of the United States in it's death grip.  Extremely high temperatures for this time of year have caused the deaths of multiple people - from infants to the elderly.  Today, here in Boulder, we have mostly cloudy skies (so far), and the humidity is an unusual 60% - usually we're at 25% or below...  And we even had a brief rain shower while I was in the grocery store this morning, getting kitty treats and kitty food.  Hopefully there will be more rain today, but fewer lightning strikes.
  Boulder County has seen the reappearance of the river otter, and now it seems our moose population is also rising.  I'm happy about it, and think it's grand.  Now we need to get badgers,wolverines and wolves back - and I'm not kidding.  I think the original wildlife of the area should be brought back and allowed to thrive - even if it means keeping my cats inside at all times.  This is a wild and open country in Colorado - people, though really get me upset:  they move out West because they want to be near nature; they build their homes in isolated areas so they can see wildlife; but once Mother Nature actually shows her face, the people are upset.  The people have moved into places that wildlife have ruled for centuries, and then the people are upset when the wildlife does what comes naturally...  They forget about the survival of the fittest and that most creatures of the woods and mountains are true predators.  Suddenly, they want the bear (or mountain lion, or mule deer, or moose, or elk, or bobcat, or lynx, or whatever) removed from "their property" because they don't feel safe.  These are the kind of people that I have no time or sympathy for.  You can't have things both ways.  The woods and mountains are not civilized, and were never meant to be.
 

Hail Storm Last Night

Lightning, thunder, rain, and hail.  That's what happened here last night...

Clouds over Fort Collins last night

 Last night's hail in Boulder...

While we had a wild ride last night, it seems that the Opening Night of the Chincoteague Carnival was a nice one, even though a thunderstorm watch was posted.  

  And the West Fork Complex wildfire has grown to over 90,000 acres...  Have not heard of any new fires started by lightning from last night's storm, happily.

Colorado Wildfires; Opening Night of Chincoteague Carnival

Oh, my....    Aaron Hernandez is charged with murder, and is being looked at as a suspect in a drive-by shooting where two men were killed.  Such a sad report to read about an ex-Gator!  He has disappointed me entirely.   -   And I am feeling great sympathy for the divorce and feuding parents of Dylan Redwine.  The young teen disappeared from his father's home at Thanksgiving last year. A few of his bones have been identified via DNA testing this week - they were found scattered in a forest about 10 miles from the father's house.
  Our wildfires here in Colorado continue to grow.  Several are completely contained, and the Rocky Mountain National Park was surprised, but pleased, to announce the Fern Lake wildfire is completely burnt out.  We've had several local fires that have been less than 10 acres and have been quickly put out.  The Wild-Hacking Complex fire is still burning, as is the Strontia Springs-Waterton Canyon fire.  The Brush Creek fire is 97% contained.  The East Fork fire (on the western side of the Divide) i sat 447 acres, while the East Peak  fire is 75% contained, having burned over 13,500 acres, 12 homes and 4 out buildings.  The Trickle Mountain fire is 85% contained and had burned 277 acres.  The Ox Cart fire has burned 150 acres, and the Jefferson County Lillis Lane fire is 75% contained and has destroyed one house.  That leaves the West Fork Complex fire, which is still zero percent contained, and has burned over 83,000 acres so far.
   The forecast is for rain and thunderstorms for the next four evenings.  I would love to see it rain, rain hard. Not enough to flood those places that have just been burned, but enough to ensure that the current fires are extinguished - but I doubt that will happen.
    And tonight my heart is on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, specifically at the Chincoteague Island Carnival Grounds, because tonight is the Opening Night of the 88th Annual Chincoteague Fireman's Carnival!  How I wish I was there!

Add Another Colorado Wildfire

Five of the wildfires burning in Colorado are 100% contained - they will not spread any farther, unless we have some really crazy weather.  One wildfire is 95% contained, and another is 90 % contained.  The bad news is that 14 are still burning with zero containment.  At last report, the West Fork Complex fire had burned 79,182 acres, and the East Peak fire has consumed 13,491.  The we get to add the new Ox Cart fire, which is at 1200 acres.  It's amazing to me to realize how much land has been consumed by fire - just adding those three numbers comes to the equivalent of 146.68 square miles - and that is only five of the twenty-one large, noted fires burning.....
   Well, having spilled my vitriol about Custer yesterday, I feel much more light-hearted.  - And one must remember, the  only reason Custer's name continues to be remembered today, is because Libbie, his widow, lived for another 57 years after his death; and she spent every waking moment trying to convince people that her husband was a hero.....
   The New England Patriots are known for keeping their players "under wraps" with the media, so I was prepared for a summer without word of Tim Tebow.  Instead, I'm hearing and reading and seeing that Aaron Hernandez, one of the team's star running backs, has been released from his team contract after being arrested.  The charges have yet to be announced, but they are in connection with a murder, and are, possibly, just "obstruction of justice" charges - but we don't know yet.  I'd much rather be reading about Tebow's work-outs and his charitable efforts, in all honesty.
   The other "big" story is the trial of George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin in Florida.  I find it interesting that six women are sitting on the jury, and that 5 of them are Caucasian.  Mr. Zimmerman is Hispanic and is accused of killing an unarmed African-American teen... Mr. Zimmerman called in the young man as being "suspicious" as a part of his Neighborhood Watch duties; he then followed the young man, even though he he told by police not to follow Mr. Martin.  Mr. Zimmerman claims to have shot the young man in self defense.  The young man was unarmed and was carrying a can of tea and a package of Skittles; but he was shot through the heart at a close enough range to leave gun powder burns on his sweatshirt.... Somehow that just doesn't make sense to me....

Twenty Wildfires Burning in Colorado

We have 20 wildfires over 100 acres in size burning in Colorado right now - four of the fires are fully contained, and, while still burning unconsumed fuel, are considered to be "out."  Two of the fires in the Rocky Mountain National Park are burning mostly beetle-killed pines and are being left to themselves, unless there is a serious flare-up.  There are numerous small fires every day that don't get mentioned by the media, unless lives or homes are lost.  It seems that most of our local, and imported, fire fighters are working 24/7.
 The largest fire is still the West Fork Complex, made up of the Papoose fire, the Windy Pass fire and the West Fork fire.  These three fires have now ravaged 75,150 acres, and there is still zero containment.  The East Peak fire has grown to 12,966 acres, or 19 square miles, and is now 10% contained.  All of the other wildfires have also grown; the Wild Rose is up to 1,070 acres, the Collins has increased to 380 acres, and the East Fork, Brush Creek and Derby Creek fires have all increased to slightly over 400 acres.  It's enough to make one breathless.
  I got up early this morning, took care of my kits, took care of the Redwood brothers, walked Rosie, watered flowers for folks visiting Turkey, and came home for breakfast.  That will be my morning routine through the seventh morning of June, excepting this Saturday and Sunday morning.  And next week, I'll add Maggie May into the mix...  The good ol' summertime...  Everyone travels.
   Lovey, Nedi and I are doing well.  Rosie still misses Remy, and now she is afraid of thunder and lightning, which she wasn't, during Remy's lifetime... That's a little peculiar.  Courtney, Chocolate and Blackberry's family made it home last night, as did Rosie's.  They were both very happy reunions.

Wildfires Still Burning Uncontrolled

Well, there aren't any scheduled updates about our wildfires for another hour - but since there was  no containment last night on the largest fires, we'll just have to guess that they grew in size.  Currently, the biggest fire designated is the West Fork wildfire (which is actually 3 fires - the West Fork, the Papoose and the Windy Pass fires).  The news update last night put the fire at 66,200 acres, or about 105 square miles - and there is no containment.  The town of South Fork is still evacuated.   The East Peak fire is also not contained, and has burned 11,386 acres, as of last night.  The Wild Rose fire is 10% contained and has burned 1,067 acres.  There is a new fire in the Uncompahgre National Forest (near Owl Creek Pass and 3 to 4 miles southeast of the Silver Jack Reservoir); it was last reported at 370 acres, with no containment.  The Wild-Hacking Complex fire has burned 400 acres and is 90% contained.
   The Lime Gulch fire is 90% contained, and all evacuation orders have been lifted.  Telephone and power lines were to be operational by noon today in that area.  The Big Elk Meadows fire is still 95% contained, but it and the Fern Lake fire are expected to burn until the first heavy snowfall.  The Trickle Mountain fire is another new one.  It is in Saguache County, has burned almost 300 acres, and is 10% contained.  The Brush Creek fire has burned 403 acres; the Collins fire has blackened 380 acres. There are also fires burning at Rifle Gap, Derby Creek, and Bull Gulch.
  Not counting the fires that are now totally contained - the Black Forest, Royal Gorge, and La Veta - there are 81,764 acres of wildlife habitat destroyed or on fire - that equals a bit over 127.75 square miles.  We're on our second day of summer - how much of the west will go up in smoke?

105 Square Miles Up in Smoke

The West Fork Complex wildfire has burned 66,200 acres, which is equal to about 105 square miles.  The town of South Fork is still evacuated.  There is no containment of this wildfire - fire fighters are working on defensive measures only.
     The East Peak fire has grown to over 11,000 acres.
  More updates in the morning.

Warm, Warm, Warm!

Lovey is laying between my chest and the keyboard, so I'm having to reach over and/or around her to type.  I could make her move, but I'd rather be close and uncomfortable than chase her away.  Besides my kits, and Rosie, Courtney the goldfish, and the bunnies Chocolate and Blackberry, I add Sasquatch and Tugger to the mix today.  Luckily, Rosie's people and Paulina will both be back tomorrow evening, so I'll be back at home, with twice a day runs to the Redwood brothers (Tugger and Sasquatch).   Next Saturday and Sunday morning, I'm free and clear - then I add Tugger and Sasquatch (again), Maggie May and then Tinkerbell, while watering flowers for another client from now until July 4...
   I wouldn't say that we are having a problem with mother deer here in Boulder, but some folks would.  A young mother, who has an injured hind leg has a new set of twins, whom she usually leaves in a yard on Agate Road.  It's a high traffic area for people who walk, jog, run, and ride bicycles.  It's also a high traffic area for people who walk dogs.  This young mother is very protective of her babies - she will make a stand to keep them safe.  The other day, she attacked a dog (on a leash) who got too close - the lady, who had been talking on her cell phone and not looking around for wildlife, dropped the leash, and the dog ran for the doe.  The doe knocked it over and walked on it, which terrified the owner.  The owner of the house went out and frightened the deer away.  The dog and the woman were unhurt.  But this has caused an uproar in the neighborhood...  and I am not happy with the folks who ignore the law and allow their dogs to roam loose, either.  I am firmly on the side of the deer.  I believe that the woman was at fault for not really taking in/seeing her surroundings...
   Wildfires in Colorado continue to pop up, thanks to lightning, sparks from train wheels on tracks, and idiotic people.Yes, we had snow in April and May, and ran in May.  However, we are still in an extreme drought condition.  The Black Forest wildfire, while contained, has now had the homes destroyed count upped to 511.  The West Fork Complex fire (which has three fires - West Fork, Papoose, and Windy Pass) has now burned over 40,000 acres (or 62.5 square miles) and is still not contained in any way.  The East Peak fire has burned 10,000 acres and 9 homes, and has no containment. The Wild Rose fire, near Rangely, is at 850 acres and is 10% contained. The Lime Gulch fire is up to 600 acres and is 15% contained.  The Rife Gap fire has 0 containment and is estimated at 300 acres. The Bull Gulch fire, northeast of Cotopaxi, is 30% contained.  The Disappointment wildfire has been extinguished.  The Wild-Hacking Complex fire is 15% contained.  The Collins fire, 17 miles southwest of Meeker is uncontained, as are the two fires in northern Eagle County, The Derby Creek and the Brush Creek fires....  With high temperatures, no rain, and winds expected for the next week, I'll just cross my fingers, as usual.

Summer Is Here! - Sixteen Wildfires Burning

When I arose at 5 this morning, it was already 63 degrees outside, and we're expecting a high in the low 90s, and the forecast calls for 90s through Wednesday.  Oh, boy.  Rosie is feeling the heat, and prefers to sprawl on the tile floor in the den; Lovey and Nedi are pretty somnolent and nap a lot; the bunnies lay flat on their sides and pant - I try to get them out of their hutch and into the open pen and shade as much as possible; and I try to be certain the goldfish is out of direct sun shine, and has good air currents...  But it's very warm, and the back of my throat feels itchy, thanks to all the particulates in the air.  I have the drapes drawn, the windows open, and all the fans running in the apartment... Hopefully it won't get too warm - and I do know that they (Lovey and Nedi) both are laying in the bath tub and in the bathroom sink to stay cool.  
  A quick aside:  Congratulations are in order for Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II.  After all her years as a thoroughbred owner and breeder, the Queen won her first Ascot Gold Cup yesterday.  Estimate, a 4-year-old bay filly by Monsun, won the 2 and 1/2 mile race on the turf under the training of Sir Michael Stoute, and the riding of jockey Ryan Moore.  Estimate won the race in a time of 4 minutes and 20.51 seconds, and by 1 3/4 lengths.
   Most of the state of Colorado, including Boulder, is under an Air Quality warning, thanks to the wildfires.  Three of the 16 fires burning have 100% containment, but will continue to burn until all available fuel is consumed.  The fires that are completely contained are the Black Forest, the Royal Gorge, and the Ward Gulch - Rifle Mountain Park wildfires.  The Big Elk Meadows fire in Rocky Mountain National Park is 95% contained, but will probably continue to burn through beetle-killed pines until the first snow fall; the Fern Lake fire is uncontained, and is also expected to burn until the snow flies.  The other fires:
The West Fork Complex fire is the worst, at the moment; the entire town of South Fork is under immediate evacuation orders, and  the road over Wolf Creek Pass is closed.  Over 18,000 acres are burning there in Mineral County, and Windy Pass is also burning and closed to traffic.
The East Peak fire has burned 10,000 acres and is uncontained.  The town of Walsenburg is under pre-evacuation orders.
The Wild Rose fire is estimated at 1,000 acres in Rio Blanco County and is uncontained.
The Lime Gulch fire in Jefferson County has burned 600 acres and is only 5% contained.
The Rifle Gap fire is burning near Horse Mountain and has no containment.
The Bull Gulch fire is still burning without containment in Fremont County.
The Papoose fire is burning near the Rio Grand Reservoir above the town of Creede.
The Disappointment fire is burning in Moffat County and has no containment.
The Wild-Hacking Complex fire  is at 400 acres, and is 15 % contained.  Fire fighters hope to achieve 75% containment by the end of the day; this fire is located 25 miles north of Dinosaur.
The Collins fire is uncontained and is located in the Shell-Piceance Basin.
The Derby Creek fire is uncontained and is located 17 miles north of Eagle.
    Most of these fires were caused by lightning; the Black Forest fire was not, and is being investigated.
** Gee, I can't imagine why the air smells of smoke....  **


 

Ten Colorado Wildfires; Kudos to Jockey Mike Smith

I laughed myself silly last night - Bea and I watched The Return of the Pink Panther and Revenge of the Pink Panther.  Three and a half hours of almost non-stop comedy left me limp, but smiling.   Rosie was between us, on the sofa, and we were all laughing hysterically.  It was fun.  Rosie is definitely missing her family, and I'm missing spending time with my kits.  Right now, both Lovey and Nedi are out playing in the early morning sunshine.  And, I'll soon be heading back to spend the rest of the day with Rosie... she is very interested in Chocolate and Blackberry, Paulina's young rabbits, but so far she hasn't made any overt moves toward them.  And she and Boo are interacting a little more each day, which is good for both of them.
   Thank goodness for our professional jockeys!  During the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park, jockey Mike Smith was riding Itsmyluckyday.  They were about to make a move on the leaders, when Mike felt there was something wrong with the colt's hind end - it just didn't feel right.  He pulled the colt up on the backstretch, and the horse seemed fine when he went back to his stall.  X-rays of the colt's pelvis, however, showed that the ilium had broken.  Because Mike Smith pulled the colt up, there is a very good chance that Itsmyluckyday will be able to return to racing within the next 6 months.  - And, it's official:  Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, has been retired from racing.
   We have more wildfires burning in Colorado, and the Denver metropolitan area, which includes Boulder, is under an Air Quality warning.  Anyone who suffer from asthma, COPD, emphysema, or any types of breathing problems, are being warned to stay inside and not exert themselves.  This is due to the large amount of particulates from all of the wildfires burning throughout our state.  -  (1 & 2) The Big Elk Meadows fire is 95% contained and has burned 604 acres.  It is expected to burn until the first snow, as is the Fern Lake fire.  (3) The Royal Gorge fire is completely contained.  (4) The Black Forest fire is 95% contained, and has cost $8.5 million for fire-fighting so far.  Hot spots are still flaring up, and homes are still evacuated.  (5) The West Fork fire, near the Wolf Creek Ski Area, has burned 3,875 acres, and is less than one mile from the edges of the Rio Grande National Forest.  (6) The Ward Gulch-Rifle Mountain Park fire is 95% contained, and has burned 485 acres.  (7) The Lime Gulch fire, in Jefferson County, has burned 500 acres so far, is uncontained, and homes have been evacuated in a 3 mile radius from the initial report of the fire.  (8) The Wild Rose fire is burning in Rio Blanco County, and has burned 850 acres.  (9) The Bull Gulch fire is burning about one mile east of Table Mountain.  (10) The East Peak fire, near East Spanish Peak (and originally referred to as the Scout Camp fire), is burning in Huerfano County.  It has burned 350 acres, and was first reported by members at a Boy Scout Camp out.  The Camp has been evacuated, but there is no news as yet, as to whether the camping area burned over or not.

Queen Anne Snaps Animal Kingdom's Win Streak

Poor Animal Kingdom.  Today, he shortened his distance to a mile and tried to be the first Kentucky Derby winner to also win at Royal Ascot.  He was sent off as the crowd's betting favorite, but he could only finish eleventh.  Team Valor, the owners of Animal Kingdom, were planning on retiring the 5-year-old horse to stud after winning the Queen Anne Stakes today.  Trainer Graham Motion says that, even with the loss, today is probably Animal Kingdom's last.  Jockey John Velasquez said the turf course rode much softer than it walked.  Animal Kingdom fought with the jockey for the first half mile, and, when asked to run, had nothing left to give.  The winner of the race was Declaration of War, a son of War Front.
   The Colorado Wildfires:  The Black Forest fire has now destroyed 502 houses and damaged 18 others.  The fire is 85% contained.Fire and Sheriff's office officials warn people to expect the number of houses destroyed to slowly grow, as professionals make their way into areas that were not accessible earlier, due to the blaze.  ...  The Royal Gorge fire is 100% contained, and burned over 3,000 acres.  This weekend, the Royal Gorge Festival will be held as scheduled. ...  The Ward Gulch - Rifle Mountain Park fire is 85% contained, and the Park has re-opened to visitors.  ....  The Big Elk Meadows fire is 95% contained, and most trails are once again open on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park.  ....  The Fern Lake fire is still small and uncontained in the back country of the Rampart Range.

Happy Fathers Day! - Wildfire Update

Happy Fathers Day to all who qualify for that title - genetic or not!  Dad allowed me to to do things that Mom thought were too daring - I always remember Mom asking, "But what if she gets hurt?"  Dad's response was always a shrug and a smile, and, "If she gets hurt, she might learn a lesson - but why curtail her fun and experience?"  Dad always let me go with loose reins, as long as he felt I wouldn't receive any lasting harm.  He taught me how to track, hunt, and fish.  He also taught me how to sit very quietly - in a meadow, in the woods, along running water and the ocean - and let wildlife reveal itself.  I remember being amazed the first time I saw a field mouse gathering food, and a bird gathering nesting materials.  He also taught me about engines, building things, how to paint and mow, and tons of other usable and practical information that I have employed throughout my life.  My Dad passed away suddenly when I was 24 - which was 33 years ago.  It doesn't seem possible....   Thank you, Daddy, for everything.
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Colorado Wildfires Update -
   The Big Elk Meadows fire in Rocky Mountain National Park  has burned 496 acres and is reported at 60% containment.  Currently, the fire is burning a lot of dead, beetle-killed forest.
   The La Veta - Klikus, Bergen Rock, and Beaver Creek fires are completely contained.
   The Royal Gorge fire has burned 3,218 acres and is now 85% contained. No homes were lost, but 48 of 52 park buildings were lost, including the railway terminals and the aerial tram.  However, the Royal Gorge Railway began running again yesterday.  It is open for business.
    The Ward Gulch - Rifle Mountain Park fire has grown to 682 acres and is 15% contained.  Rifle Gap has been closed to boat traffic, to avoid casualties; and both Rifle Falls Park and Rifle Mountain Park are closed to the public.
    The West Fork fire is located in Mineral County in the Weminuche Wilderness Area.  It has burned over 2,000 acres and there is no containment.
    The Black Forest fire has now destroyed 483 homes and burned 15,702 acres.  It is 55% contained.  Some evacuations are still in effect, while others are being allowed to visit the remains of their belongings.  So far, the human fatality number is still only two.

   Today is cooler than it has been this past week, and there is a chance of showers this afternoon/evening.  Let's hope the rain falls in plentiful measure, without any lightning.
   

Wildfires, Zenyatta, & the Eastern Shore

Things look a little better today, regarding the wildfires in Colorado - we have more containment, cooler temperatures, and a chance of rain for the next three days.  Unfortunately, the rain also means chances for lightning - otherwise, it's great news.  What is sobering is the report that 473 homes have been destroyed by the Black Forest fire, and the fire is now about 30% contained.  Pets and livestock, mostly horses, are missing - one can view and/or post missing pets and livestock on the KUSA website at  http://www.9news.com/news/photo-gallery.aspx?storyid=340858 .  One family believes they are lucky; they lost their house, but their 27 assorted animals and their barn are safe.  Their horses, cats, dogs, birds, and pigs all survived; they plan on rebuilding the house.    The Royal Gorge wildfire is reported as being 65% contained.  A new wildfire broke out yesterday, the Ward Gulch fire, close to Rifle Mountain Park, was started by lightning, and the last I heard, had expanded to over 400 acres with no containment.  Several structures were at risk, and the Park was evacuated.  There will be a live update on the status of all of the fires at 10 a.m. MDT; I'll update as needed.
   Zenyatta, Queen Z, the Spanish-walking retired racehorse has been confirmed in foal to War Front.  Her first foal, a yearling named CoZmic One, is a colt by Bernardini; this year, she produced a chestnut colt by Tapit.  It will be interesting to see what this mating to War Front will bring...
   On the Eastern Shore, a sinkhole opened up in a lane of US 13, Lankford Highway, near Keller.  It drew a lot of attention from locals on their way in to work.  ....  Two people took a 6-foot inflatable dinghy out into the Atlantic from  the northern end of Assateague Island, near Ocean City, Maryland.  They had to be rescued by the US Coast Guard, as the current quickly took them away from the shore.  The folks had no water, no food, no flares, no radio, no life vests, and no sun block with them.  Luckily, a chartered fishing boat saw them and reported them so they could be rescued. (My opinion: Idiots. Let Darwin's Law take care of them.) ....  And, finally, for the first time since the Civil War, a State Senator from the Eastern Shore, Ralph Northam, of Onancock, is running for Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia.  I'd vote for him, were I still living there.

Bits and Pieces, Today

If you're in the area of Norfolk, Virginia today (or this weekend), or on the Eastern Shore, I really recommend a visit to Cape Charles to see the Tall Ships.  I'd be there, were I not in the Rockies. Cape Charles, a deep water Harbor To Hospitality, presents a rare opportunity to get up close and personal as you explore the decks and meet the costumed crews of magnificent tall ships and encounter roving pirates, costumed re-enactors and all kinds of family fun throughout the historic town and harbor. In addition to public deck tours of three tall ships, visitors may book two hour day-sails on the Chesapeake Bay,enjoy delectable food, refreshing beverages, arts, crafts and collectibles vendors as well  as music and entertainment by local performers. This is small town, family-friendly America the way it used to be. ​Clamber aboard, explore these historic vessels, chat with the captain and crew, and let your imagination transport you back to the swashbuckling days of long ago.  Sing a rollicking sea shanty.   Kids may make and sail a model boat, get their faces painted, ride a pony or try their hands at hauling the yard-arm. Everywhere savor the succulent seafood and revel in the Bay's spectacular sunsets.  Participate in the Great Bay Run 5K race and 1.25 mile fun run/walk event on Saturday, June 15th! 
    On Tuesday, 5-year-old thoroughbred Animal Kingdom will endeavor to win the last last race of his career, before retiring to stud.  He has been training well in Lambourn, England for the one mile Queen Anne Stakes.  Why is this noteworthy, you ask?  Animal Kingdom won the 2011 Kentucky Derby, and has since won the $5 million Dubai World Cup.  The big deal is that the last Kentucky Derby winner to race at Royal Ascot was the great Omaha in 1936, 77 years ago. Omaha competed in the 2 1/2 mile Ascot Gold Cup, and tired badly.  I hope that Animal Kingdom will win, and make the US breeders a happier crowd.
   Odd news - A Texas breast cancer oncologist has been arrested for poisoning her lover's coffee with a toxic substance.  He complained it was too sweet, and she assured him it was just the artificial sweetener she'd used.......    A New Jersey man had a traffic accident immediately after suffering a heart attack while driving his car.  He received three tickets for violations. His doctor wrote a "please excuse my patient" note, but the judge ruled the driver must pay the ticket charges.  ....    And, in Utah, a man who allegedly raped a woman, swore under oath, that he had penetrated her vagina "to save her life."  -  Excuse me?  Why? How could penetration of the vagina of an unconscious 29-year-old woman save her life?   Me-o, my-o....
   And, an update on the Colorado wildfires - the La Veta - Klikus wildfire is entirely contained, and is no longer a threat.  The Beaver Creek wildfire, which started with a lightning strike last night, is also contained.
The Fern Creek fire is still burning a small area in the Rampart Range; there is no containment. The Big Elk Meadows wildfire in Rocky Mountain National Park is 30% contained, and is currently burning through an area of trees infested with the pine beetle (which is actually good).  The Royal Gorge wildfire  is at 40% containment.  The last report I heard was that about 40 buildings had been burned down, but that the Royal Gorge Bridge did not have any structural damage.
   Two lives have been lost in the Black Forest fire, which is threatening Colorado Springs.  Yesterday, firefighters found the bodies of two people in their garage.  They were apparently about to enter their vehicle and leave when the fire flashed over them.  So far, these are the only known fatalities in any of the wildfires.  The Black Forest fire is only 5% contained, and, unfortunately, as usual, we're expecting high temperatures, low humidity, and brisk, high winds today.
   My thoughts and feelings go to those people displaced by this fire, their pets, and all of the wildlife that has lost their lives, their homes, their habitat, their everything...
  

Fire Updates

 The Black Forest wildfire has become the most destructive in Colorado history, burning at least 360 homes, officials said Thursday.  The fire is about 10 miles east of last year’s Waldo Canyon fire, which had been the state’s most destructive after killing two people and wiping out 346 homes.  No injuries have been reported from the Black Forest fire, but one person is believed to be missing in the blaze -- one of four in the state. Officials said the cause is still undetermined for the Black Forest fire, which was reported about 1 p.m. on Tuesday.  The number of houses confirmed lost to the wildfire more than tripled overnight, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said at a morning news conference, with at least 360 homes destroyed and 14 others partly damaged.  That number, however, could increase Thursday. Officials have been unable to reach or check on at least 79 addresses, the sheriff said.  Thick smoke that burns throats and stings eyes has blanketed the area, with a haze thickening the air an hour's drive north in Denver. On Wednesday, Denver International Airport temporarily closed two runways due to reduced visibility.  The fire continues to churn through dry trees, grass and pine needles. The fire is burning without any containment, officials said. As of Thursday morning, more than 15,000 acres have been consumed, Maketa said.

   The Royal Gorge Colorado wildfire to the south has destroyed 20 structures, including some in Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, and prompted evacuations of about 250 residents and nearly 1,000 inmates at a medium-security prison. 

   Firefighters are battling to keep the 600 acre Big Meadows Fire from crossing the continental divide in Rocky Mountain National Park.  Firefighters want to hold the fire east of Trail Ridge Road (Highway 34), west of the Continental Divide, and north of Tonahutu Creek.  There are 107 firefighters currently on the fire plus the Type II team who will be taking over command of the fire from the Boise Smokejumper Type III team on Thursday.  Air resources include one Type I helicopter, one Type II helicopter and two Type III helicopters.  Many firefighters camped out near the fire Wednesday night to get an early morning start to continue with fire suppression tactics.  

   Meanwhile, the Fern Lake Fire, which started on Oct. 9, 2012, continues to burn near the center of the park.  Unprecedented in the park's history, the 3,500-acre Fern Lake Fire withstood a two-month effort by firefighters from across the country to snuff it last fall. The Fern Lake Fire was temporarily halted by winter snowstorms, but it burns on.  The Fern Lake Fire is located in the largely inaccessible Forest Canyon, which has had been untouched by fire for at least 800 years, according to the park's website. "A long-term drought had left fuels tinder-dry in the forest fuel layer that sometimes exceeds twenty feet deep. Mountain pine beetles have killed half the trees in the canyon, with every compromised tree posing a hazard for firefighters. The typically windy conditions in the canyon only increased the danger," the website says.  "Park fire managers knew from the beginning the Fern Lake Fire was going to be a long-term event. There was limited ability to fight the fire directly because of high winds, steep terrain, and beetle-killed trees. Firefighter safety is the park's number one priority. The high winds impacted both air operations and safety of firefighters," the website says.

   The La Veta - Klikus fire is still at 75% containment, and has seen no growth today.