Just a note to all of you who may be in harm's way that I am thinking of you and hoping all goes well. Richard, I just heard that some homes in Estes Park were consumed in the High Park fire. Hope you and yours are well. The Waldo Canyon fire near Colorado Springs is still 0% contained and shifting more to the north. I just heard that folks from Manitou Springs can return home tonight - very good news. It was 100 degrees in Springs today and the forecast is not much different for the next few days. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
Here is a current photo, from last Friday evening of the High Park fire. I was about 50 to 60 miles south of the fire on the road up to Mt Evans. I was about 12,000 feet high. It was a clear day so this shot shows the huge plume and matches the satellite photo. Every once in a while the wind direction changes and we get the smoky air here in Denver.
I can also see the Waldo Canyon fire from my house too. So I can see one to the north and one to the south. There are at least 6 fires burning now in Colorado, and it's just now turning summer. Gonna be a long summer.
We lost our home in the Estes Park wildfire. Am currently evacuated from neighborhood. I have photos of the wildfire disaster and will post tomorrow when I can commandeer someone's computer. Typing this on my iPhone. For us, it's a huge setback. We are in shock and are filled with fear and depression. We still have our health.
What can I say, I'm so sorry for your loss Richard, my thoughts are with you and yours, I can only imagine what you are going through. Just don't forget you will get through this and you'll be stronger for it I'm sure.
Richard - I am so sorry to read this. All the best to you and know that we are all pulling for you. You have been my eyes to one of my most beloved places on the planet, and I hope that you can recover quickly. But like you said, you have each other and your health, so you WILL make it.
If there is anything we can do to help, let us know.
Oh no Richard that is terrible!!! I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my home to fire in 1994 so I know what you are going through. I feel really really bad for you.
Richard, my heart dropped when I read your news. I hope you and your family are as good as can be in this overwhelming situation. Please let me know if I can be of help to you.
Thanks, good friends, for the wonderful words of support. You all mean a lot to me.
I'll be able to take a good look today at what remains.
We will be allowed to re-enter fire zone after noon today with credentials issued at 10 am meeting at EPHS. Reverse 911 message below:
S: Woodland Heights Fire - EVAC lift and Citizens Meeting
This is the Estes Park Fire Department. There is a 10 am meeting today for all evacuated citizens at the High School. Evacuated Residents may return home after noon today, June 25th . Evacuated Residents will need to obtain credentials at the 10 am citizens meeting in order to access the area. Thank you for your cooperation.
I already know that our house is no longer habitable. I do have my camera gear, computer and other carried out items.
Denver Post pics Denver 9News
My photo of neighbor's property from Saturday afternoon. I'll take more photos today. Just let me say the firestorm was one of the most frightening things I've ever seen and experienced.
It's important to me to mention the heroic efforts of the forest firefighters and the air support brought in to contain the fire. Without those brave people and magnificent resources, the Estes Park may have become as big as the High Park fire. We need rain badly. If you some extra, please send our way.
My photo of Big helicopter. We had two of these giant helicopters dropping water all afternoon. Also, had a regular helicopter with a bucket dropping water. And, a big fixed wing tanker came by a few times dropping fire retardant slurry. In addition, there was a fixed wing smaller plane circling the event all afternoon directing resources .... aerial command. It was just like a war. I am very grateful for the emergency response, although there was little they could do for our houses. The best assessment is they saved hundreds of home and maybe the town of Estes Park itself.
I cannot imagine what this must be like. Glad you and your family are safe at least. Stay strong. I will say a prayer for you as well as for some rain for the area. Hang in there.
I'm so sorry to hear this Richard. As a Colorado native myself I have seen this kind of destruction all too often. I lived in New Castle during the Storm King Fire.
I hope you and your neighbors a fast recovery from this disaster.
Wow. Those are some pictures. But you do have to count yourself lucky that you were able to take things with you when you evacuated. I just can't imagine the loss. Again, I'm so sorry. If there is anything we can do, let us know.
