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!

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.

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.