We thought maybe we should go to the faire today. Got there, noticed the sun was orange, and my allergies were going nuts!! We bought our tickets... and it was right as we were getting ready to go in that I realized- I couldn't take it! The smoke in the air was killing me. My eyes were watering, nose burning... It was terrible. I heard a little while ago that Manitou Springs is under evacuation orders. So with all that in mind, if any of my faire friends need a place to crash throughout the evac, we have a hide-a-bed couch available. If it comes down to that, please feel free to send me a PM.
My best hopes are with the fire fighters... Everyone stay safe...
Don't need any more forest fires!!
I read somewhere that 5000 in Manitou Springs had bailed cause of the fire. Y'all about to be surrounded.
Official website for this fire:
http://www.coemergency.com/2012/06/waldo-canyon-fire-june-24.html
Mandatory evacuations are in place in some areas around Colorado Springs.
There are number of CORF regulars from that area, some on these boards, some not. Hopefully all are safe.
Wildfires are scary things that we sadly experienced en masse here in Texas last year. I hope everyone stays safe there, and that it gets contained soon!
Quote from: Wheatie on June 24, 2012, 10:06:54 PM
Official website for this fire:
http://www.coemergency.com/2012/06/waldo-canyon-fire-june-24.html
Mandatory evacuations are in place in some areas around Colorado Springs.
There are number of CORF regulars from that area, some on these boards, some not. Hopefully all are safe.
Toki and I are on the other side of the state (Ft Collins) Where we have been breathing in the smoke for over 2 weeks now. Have a tone of friends that have lost homes. Lucky for us, we are safe from it, accept breathing in the smoke.
100,000 acres and growing daily from 60% contained to 45 in 1 day and no end in site and more houses in the pathways. Red Feather Lakes area is in the path and a ton of big expensive homes
Lets hope for a wet July to end our Colorado fire season
Amen you guys are in our thoughts with plenty of positive energy coming at ya.
I am hoping for the best. I hope this high pressure front coming down doesn't make things even worse.
Praying for rain for all of our friends there in CO, no matter what part of the stay you all live in! Stay safe, and don't hesitate to get out if you need to!!!
Just read an article that said the Waldo Canyon fire flared up yesterday and jumped containment lines. "El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said 32,000 people had been evacuated, and an Air Force Academy spokesman said the evacuation zone included two communities of single-family homes on academy grounds housing civilian and military personnel and their families."
It went on to say that "the entire community of Mountain Shadows, a northwest subdivision, appeared to be enveloped in an orange glow after dark."
Stay safe up there and let's all pray for rain.
Correction - just announced on TV that the Air Force Academy has been shut down due to the fires.
Blushing posted on FB that she has been evacuated. This is like Texas last August & September, and summer has just started.
It has been a rollercoaster of a week. On Saturday we had a fire in Estes Park, where I live, and we were about 10 miles from the fire line. It was windy and moving in our direction. If there had not been so many firefighters working on the nearby High Park fire, the fire here would have gotten out of hand much faster. I was at Festival and ready to book it back home to evac--which would have been really tough since everything is in boxes right now and I have no idea where anything important is. We are so lucky, but 21 homes still went down. The fire here is out now but it's still very dry and dangerous here so we are really hoping for rain--not just for us but for everyone in the state who is currently in a fire danger zone. My best thoughts to everyone down in the Springs.
I'm praying for safety for everyone up there and for no wind and LOT and LOT of rain.
If you got evacuated chenk in when you can so we know that you're safe.
Yes, I was evacuated.No idea when I will go home. There are some amazing photos and stories from the fire nearest Colorado Springs at gazette.com, including details I worked on last night.
This from Francisco Paula on his FB page
From Kyle Boster:
To everyone who has shared my post about Faire: As of 5 minutes ago, a friend of mine has been getting text messages from several people at the Faire stating that the Faire is now on Standby. I will call and confirm with Paradise as soon as I get a chance to step away from my desk, and will let you all know.
This was the previous post
My friend Vin just posted this
ATTENTION EVERYONE WHO WORKS THE FAIRE IN LARKSPUR:
I just got off the phone with Jim Paradise Junior. He said that, as of right now, the Faire itself is not under pre-evac or evac notice. I will be talking to him again tomorrow, per his request, to post an update, but he did ask that I pass this information on to everyone.
Please pass this on, as I know that I don't have the entire Faire on my Facebook. I will post an update as soon as I get one from him
There were some incredibly powerful shots of the fires tonight on the CBS Evening News. Which made me realize I'd be remiss in not actually letting y'all know that we are keeping you in our thougths and prayers and sincerely hope that you and yours stay safe.
I cannot even comprehend the stress and angst you must be going through each moment of the day righ now.
Much love to all of you!
Quote from: Blushing on June 27, 2012, 01:43:29 PM
Yes, I was evacuated.No idea when I will go home. There are some amazing photos and stories from the fire nearest Colorado Springs at gazette.com, including details I worked on last night.
It all looks so awful. You have been in my thoughts; as has everyone up there.
Just bought a shirt for my husband from www.wildfiretees.com ... the designers are donating all the money to Red Cross and Care and Share food bank.
Sending positive thoughts to all of our friends there. Worried about more than a few who haven't chimed in for a few days.
Stay safe dear friends.
The Baroness and I are fine ... so far. Our home is situated approximately 12 miles northeast of the closest active blaze. While we have lots of smoke when the wind is out of the south, and can see flames at night, we are still 1/4 mile outside the pre-evacuation area. The straw to which we cling at present is that the U.S. Air Force Academy is between us and the fire, and we are hopeful that the Air Force will do whatever is necessary to keep that facility from burning, thereby saving our home in the process.
Night before last, the burn area literally doubled overnight. It increased less than 10% overnight last night however, primarily due to diminished wind. The wind is currently out of the south and is picking up speed, increasing our pucker factor with each additional mile per hour.
We sincerely appreciate the expressions of concern posted here, and will keep you apprised of developments.
I'm beginning to feel guilty. Three of the four faires I visited last year have now either had a fire on-site (Scarby) or have suffered huge losses nearby from wildfires (Sherwood and Colorado). I cannot fathom the angst you must be feeling. Stay safe, and as much as you can, keep us updated. We do genuinely worry about you!
We are still going this weekend! Look at the Festivals facebook page.
We are near Morrison and C470.
No problems at present.
Beware the small dark clouds with mist chards under them with blue sky around.
They are lightning clouds with little rain. And they usually come with high gusts of wind.
No place is safe when they're present.
Perhaps the Colorado July monsoons will bring a respite.
The Dakota fire has reached 300 acres. My heart goes out to all of you affected by these wildfires.
The news on the Waldo Canyon fire this morning is encouraging. There was no perimeter growth overnight, containment now stands at 15% (up from 5% yesterday), and today's weather is forecast to be favorable for the fire fighters. The danger is be no means over, but we are optimistic.
Once again, thank all of you for your well wishes. They mean a great deal to all of us who are affected by this disaster.
I'll be back home tonight, since they are working on lifting evacuation orders or placing pre-evacuation notices.
It's going to be a LONG summer.
Quote from: Blushing on June 29, 2012, 02:28:36 PM
I'll be back home tonight ...
HUZZAH! No damage, I hope!
They're reporting 25% containment now.... still tossing the newts into the cauldron in your behalf!
I'm glad you'll at least be home... and will be singing my rain song on your behalf, and that of everyone there in the state! Stay safe, please!
We are glad to know that all our friends are safe. We travelled through CSS on Tuesday and could not believe how much smoke there was. We were in SW CO and there seems to be fires everywhere. Just left Grand Junction and there was a pretty good fire around there. Hope things get better soon and stay that way.
Keeping prayers going for everybody, I am over here by the Pine Ridge fire by Grand Junction that Lord Gauwyn spoke of. They are saying about 24% contained for now. Not personally in a evac zone, yet, but my parents may be if things turn bad. Again, saying prayers for all of the wonderfull people I have met here, and everyone else
Blushing, I'm glad you'll be able to go home. I'm washing my car and motorcycle everyday, hoping that will bring rain. Good Luck.
Ian
Not sure about the Spings but up here in the north we have gotten rain in the afternoon 4 days in a row now, This is good considering the 2nd largest recorded wildfire in the state was up here. Also the 2nd more expensive would have been first but the Spings got hit hard. Sad on all ends
Quote from: Ian Maxwell on July 01, 2012, 12:13:06 AM
Blushing, I'm glad you'll be able to go home. I'm washing my car and motorcycle everyday, hoping that will bring rain. Good Luck.
Ian
Not only that, Ian, but the ash is caustic and is hell on paint jobs if you let it stay too long.
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on June 29, 2012, 05:57:06 PM
They're reporting 25% containment now.... still tossing the newts into the cauldron in your behalf!
We need more Newts.
I've ordered some Jumbo Newts. Perhaps that will help.
...Not trying to imply any of this is funny, I know it's not. I'm only trying to raise a smile behind the tears that I know are being shed.
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on July 03, 2012, 04:31:41 PM
...Not trying to imply any of this is funny, I know it's not.
Worry not, Good Merlin! We know full well, understand, and appreciate your intent.
Fortunately, only the north end of the Waldo Canyon fire remains uncontained, meaning that the threat to lives and structures is now very low. Even more fortunately, even though several of our renfaire family were forced to evacuate, as far as I know no one among them lost lost a home or property to the fire. I know that is true for the cast, but a few of our playtrons didn't show last weekend, and we remain concerned for them.
This is the second time the Baroness and I had a near miss with wildfire. We are NOT amused!
I'm glad the July monsoons have started, and hope they continue to drop more wonderful H2O everywhere it's needed so badly! Praying for rain, and singing my rain song every day!!! Stay safe, my friends...
Only monsoons relative to the complete drought we've been having. But we've had sprinkles, scattered showers in places, and clouds that have brought some cooler weather. I sure hope some better weather follows the blistering June.
Thanks for the newts, Merlin. When you're doing it, make sure the newts and incantations don't include lighting and wind... Rain we need. The rest? Not so much! What we've needed is drizzling, soaking, calm storms, like they get in the midwest. Colorado storms tend to be rather violent. So far your newts have been helping- lots of moisture, a bit of wind... and not much else! I think the gods may have heard you.
Does anyone have any word on Captain Spleen? I haven't hardly heard a peep from him this entire year! Nim and I are both concerned because of all the fires in the area.
Worry not, Merlin, Spleen is fine. His current abode is well away from any current fire danger. He even offered us refuge should the need arise. He assures us that he is simply taking a summer away from Faire (and the forum) in order to pursue other interests, e.g., fishing and camping.
Should you wish to send him a PM, I'm certain that he would be happy to hear from you.
Just an update over here, they are hopeing to have this fire here at 100% containment by tonight! In the meantime, still sending prayers to everyone still affected!
Ah! Thank you, Baron. I'll do that!
Quote from: Baron on July 04, 2012, 10:13:55 PM
Worry not, Merlin, Spleen is fine. His current abode is well away from any current fire danger. He even offered us refuge should the need arise. He assures us that he is simply taking a summer away from Faire (and the forum) in order to pursue other interests, e.g., fishing and camping.
Should you wish to send him a PM, I'm certain that he would be happy to hear from you.
Certainly can understand that, especially with the HEAT. Lord Toki and I went 2 weeks, missed 2. Will be back this Saturday and the next but may take the following off and then go last Saturday. I think had there not been a fire ban we would have been camping as well. not the same without a nice under control camp fire and cooked steaks and burgers or fresh caught trout over it.
I know 1st day of fair was SO dusty that clothing that normally is fine was black as ash and it's not easy to wash some of my garb. lets home this weekend brings the promised rain and lets home July is cooler than June has been. otherwise, next year if it is the same, we will need to move faire to Sept and Oct just so we don't all melt... or catch fire,
I thought maybe we had just missed you, Lady de Laney. Weather is looking much cooler this weekend, though perhaps rainy. I'll take rain! The pirate may just have to come out from under his nice cool rock!
It was a pleasure meeting you, and thank you again for your kindness! Supposedly we've survived the hottest June in Colorado Weather History. I'll hold my head up for that.
We're good, we're getting better, and we have a GREAT audience.
Quote from: LadyFireKissed on July 04, 2012, 11:13:44 PM
Just an update over here, they are hopeing to have this fire here at 100% containment by tonight! In the meantime, still sending prayers to everyone still affected!
I had an event I was required to attend in Cripple Creek earlier this week. It was a genuine pleasure to see that life seems to be going on sorta normally up that direction. We saw quite a few military vehicles and personel out and about, but otherwise things seem to be almost normal again. Made me happy.
The gods do not subtract from the allotted span of mens lives the hours spent in fishing.
~ antique sign seen at Famous Daves BBQ in Fort Collins recently.
Spleen, good to hear from you.
Merlin, your newts have apparently worked! Real rain started yesterday. We had real rain showers at faire today. And it rained on us all the way home and it continues to rain now. Hallelujah!
Quote from: Wheatie on July 07, 2012, 09:29:37 PM
Spleen, good to hear from you.
Merlin, your newts have apparently worked! Real rain started yesterday. We had real rain showers at faire today. And it rained on us all the way home and it continues to rain now. Hallelujah!
Yessir!! We attended a birthday party at Southlands Mall, and it dumped on us in sheets!! We're going to be continuing the celebration at the faire tomorrow. Should I be expecting to be walking in mud?
Quote from: Nighthawk on July 07, 2012, 10:05:00 PM
We're going to be continuing the celebration at the faire tomorrow. Should I be expecting to be walking in mud?
Aye, Lad! We went from a Renaissance Festival to a Mud-evil festival in about 20 minutes this afternoon! The weather guessers predict an instant replay on the morrow.
We've gone from fire to water up in my neck of the woods, and a bit too much of a good thing unfortunately. The monsoons have hit up here in the mountains and unfortunately that means some severe flooding in the yard of the house the Better Half and I bought just a week ago. (Good thing we purchased flood insurance...) Luckily no major damage except a giant trench frantically dug around the house to keep the basement from flooding. Our neighbor said he has never seen rain like this in Estes Park--today we received almost 4 inches in an hour. While we desperately need the moisture, too much at once is no good to anybody, so I hope Nature will consider a bit more moderation next time.
Zoe... Crappy. Glad to hear you managed to divert the deluge. We're either burning or flooding. This summer has been bizarre so far.
Quote from: Baron on July 07, 2012, 10:15:07 PM
Aye, Lad! We went from a Renaissance Festival to a Mud-evil festival in about 20 minutes this afternoon! The weather guessers predict an instant replay on the morrow.
Guess I won't be wearing my gillies then... Minnetonka mocs it is! Thanks for the info.
Sorry... I had never used that brand of Newts before. They must have been stronger than my normal ones. Now I wish I could get us some rain here! We got a tiny bit yesterday...in spots. The oaks are already shedding their leaves, 3—4 months early. Official temperature only reached 99° on Saturday, a very welcome reprieve.
We need a long period of a nice gentle rain, no lightning. I know you folks in Colorado would appreciate the same.
Aye, gentle is the key word there...no more flash floods!
I knew I shouldn't have sung my rain song three whole times right in a row... but the situation was getting desperate up there! Looks like it's going to bring us some rain this week, as well... :o
the rain at faire wasn't that bad yesterday. We only did our 2:15 show in a downpour. Was fun standing in the rain and every once in a while tipping my head forward so i could drain the water out of my tri-corn hat.
Probably a lot more pleasant than wiping away tears from smoke and soot, also, eh?
I'm sure that rain is very welcome compared to the prospect of wildfires.
I know we hate when its hot and there are fires and we hate when we get downpours but to be honest these are two tools that mother nature uses to clean herself. Yes i know the fire down in colorado springs might have been man made. But have to understand that one time a forest fire would run unchecked to help clean out the dead and un-wanted stuff then she would come through with the rains to bring it back to life.
I know with either the fire or rain there is lost of property and lost of life but mother nature is what she is.
Forest Fires are actually a good thing. As Francisco said it wipes out the dead, cleaning up the land and with all the beetle kill it is the fastest way to clear it out and allow tree's that have been waiting to burst forth and grow. These tree's are safe from Beetle kill and trust me, we have a ton of it and sadly the government (both sides) are not helping with clearing them so fire is the best way.
I guess in 1910 there was a HUGE wild Fire that burned over 3 million acres. It was called The Big Blowup http://k99.com/the-big-blowup-of-1910/ (http://k99.com/the-big-blowup-of-1910/)
If they would allow Mother Nature to proceed, the fires would not be nearly as dangerous. It's apparently been the Forestry Service's way of handling things for over 100 years. That makes for a LOT of kindling.
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on July 09, 2012, 04:33:28 PM
If they would allow Mother Nature to proceed, the fires would not be nearly as dangerous. It's apparently been the Forestry Service's way of handling things for over 100 years. That makes for a LOT of kindling.
Yep. Been arguing against this for years. Each time we put out a fire and leave the dead wood behind, it just makes the next fire that much more likely to spread out of control. I feel horrible for those who lost their houses in the Springs and up by Fort Collins, but we really, really need a good cleansing mountain fire to try and reset Mother Nature.
I'll point out this link for anyone who wants to read up on it. It a good read actually. Take note of the plants that actually need the heat and smoke of fires to grow. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_ecology
That's what controlled burns (Prescribed burns) are for... and the forest service used to practice them annually. I thought they still were, but perhaps not.
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on July 09, 2012, 11:34:27 PM
That's what controlled burns (Prescribed burns) are for... and the forest service used to practice them annually. I thought they still were, but perhaps not.
I cant say with certainty, but I believe they dont do as many controlled burns as they use to. I know a while back they had several "controlled" burns turn into Uncontrolled burns.
There was a fire this year that started out as a controlled burn and got out of control because of the winds...I can't recall which one it was (sad, means there are too many to remember this year) but it was just a couple of months ago.
I would think that a year with as little snowfall as this one would discourage any sort of burning.
Indeed. One can only hope that the weather pattern this coming fall and winter will favor more snowfall. It's really strange living up here in the mountains and not seeing any snow on the peaks when last year there was heavy snowpack nearly all year. The rivers are all down and things are perilously dry. We really need more moisture this year.
How about permitting logging companies to clean out the dead wood? That gets rid of a lot kindling without destroying people's homes.
well....a few years back some logging company was hired/permitted to clear dead timber from state lands in East Texas. They took advantage of the lack of supervision to clear cut everything except the fringe of trees nearest the road before they were reported. From what I heard later, the fine was so small, it didn't make a dent in the profit from the illicit timber cutting.
Yeah, I'm sure that's an operation that if it were not under the supervision of some huge management (i.e. the Forest Industry) it could be taken advantage of very easily. Part of the problem I'm sure is that the beetle kill areas are just so large there's no way to effectively clear them all away without costing an exorbitant sum of money.
Quote from: DonaCatalina on July 13, 2012, 01:27:38 PM
well....a few years back some logging company was hired/permitted to clear dead timber from state lands in East Texas. They took advantage of the lack of supervision to clear cut everything except the fringe of trees nearest the road before they were reported. From what I heard later, the fine was so small, it didn't make a dent in the profit from the illicit timber cutting.
Yet if properly supervised (Heck, just once a month walkthrus would do it) this would take a huge chunk out of the fire danger. Allowing logging in Bettlekill areas, so long as replanting is done, would be another excellent solution.