My friend lives on the west side of Colorado Springs, but south of the evacuation area. I think she is safe, but her car is packed and they are ready to leave, but I don’t know where she and the dogs can go. I hope the wind dies own.
I’m out by DIA and have been through many of our Fire Seasons. I was here when Bill Owens went on the National news and declared that the whole state was on fire… I’ve never smelled smoke out this far. It’s been smoky enough today that my throat is starting to hurt. This situation is unlike anything I’ve seen here…
I just moved from Colorado in January (and have friends and family still there), so I’ve been watching the news closely. People who don’t live in the West really have no idea how dry it is there. There are fires every year, but this year is incredibly hellish.
Stay safe, everyone.
I live just below Hoosier pass at the boarder of Summit and Park County. The beetle kill trees make this situation even worse. I don’t know the percentage, but we have millions of dry dead trees interspersed with dry live trees. A real tinder box.
Usually here in Ohio we see the smoke at 20K feet, haven’t yet…
I was in LA (Kali) 6 years ago watching the smoke truck driving and it reminded me of a volcano.
Thanks for that, we’re planning to travel to Colorado next weekend and appreciate being able to keep a close eye on the fire situation.
I read (but I can’t find it now) that one was started when a tire blew and sparks from the rim ignited the roadside.
Yikes! I’ve been to Boulder and liked it very much. Hope all our CO Dopers are OK.
Wildfires are scary, scary things. My heart goes out to the people who have to leave their homes. I had to evacuate because of the Cedar Fire back in 2003. I know what it feels like when all you can see is billowing black smoke on the horizon and you have to figure out what to take with you.
My wife and I vacationed in Colorado Springs a few years ago. It’s sad to think that fire is threatening all that. But on our way up Pike’s Peak (via the train) we saw a ton of dead trees. This fire was going to happen sooner or later.
This is horrible. With all the beetle-kill in past years, and now with the super-dry winter and spring Colorado has had, huge fires were an inevitability - but that doesn’t make what’s happening now any easier to watch. I hope all our Colorado Dopers stay safe!
I live in the affected area of Colorado Springs - Mountain Shadows. I’m currently living with some friends on the far east side. I was able to get my cat out with me, but very few belongings. We haven’t heard the official word, but from the pictures I’m seeing from the local media, my house is most likely toasted.
Fortunately I have insurance and it’s only things, but I think it will be many months before my life is put back together since basically my entire subdivision (Parkside at Mountain Shadows) has been toasted. I can’t even imagine the logistics that will be involved in cleaning up and rebuilding the mess.
The worst part is that it isn’t over yet. The evacuation areas keep growing and I have so many friends that are displaced. My offices was only a couple miles from my house and has been under mandatory evacuation since yesterday and continues to be in danger. I’ve never been through anything like this!
My thoughts and prayers, such as they are worth, are with you.
I saw this picture posted on reddit. My brother just bought a house in Erie. I wasn’t too worried about him specifically until now.
That was taken at about the worst and scariest part of last night. The firefighters were able to keep those spot fires from spreading, and today things are much better. The main fire never made it over the top of the Flatirons, thank God.
The fire would have to make it over the Flatirons and burn through the entire city of Boulder plus several miles of open space to make it to Erie. Your brother is just fine.
Awesome picture, though.
Actually, now that I look at it closer, I’m pretty sure that is photoshopped. The fire is a fair bit south of there.
I’ve been watching the coverage. This is terrible. Beautiful country being lost, homes lost, people and pets homeless. I know that my prayers won’t make a difference, but I’ll keep praying anyhow.
Looking closer, I don’t think it’s 'shopped, but I don’t think those are the Flatirons.
Oh, they are. That’s Chautauqua Park - you can see the dining hall illuminated in the lower left. Just above and to the left of it in the photo is that rock promontory that is so distinctive. The problem is that the fire is south of that promontory.
The picture is of Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak, look at this picture from a different angle. It’s right where the fire is.