Took this about an hour ago, as the Waldo Canyon fire seemed to take a turn for the worse. I imagine it'll be a different looking Rampart Range Road after this. Glad I already have a gazillion photos from up there.
Here's hoping the flames don't reach the homes scattered all around the hills west of the Garden, although the latest news views don't look encouraging.
Wow. Haunting image Todd. Reminiscent of what it was like up here in Fort Collins/Loveland two weeks ago when the High Park fire "blew up." Waldo Canyon also has the potential to be a very nasty, drawn-out fight. The terrain and number of structures to protect there will be just as or even more challenging to what we've been continually facing here in NoCo. I've been watching the live feed on KKTV and the news doesn't look good for Manitou Springs and the surrounding areas. Stay safe to all of our RMNP members and friends in the Pikes Peak region.
What a summer it is panning out to be! The weather person gave some hope to an early "monsoon" type of pattern for a couple of days. Praying that is true, because it's obvious only rain will put out these fires.
Your photo shows the immense power of these fires, TC.
I saw online that there are 8 separate fires in CO right now - that is bad news. I noticed one affected the Estes Park area but now sounds like it is under control - I hope that Erik Stensland hasn't been affected.
I know when I was in CO last year it looked extremely dry below about 7,000 feet and the pine beetle damage makes the threat even more serious. Praying for rain - without lightning!!
Things aren't getting better quickly. It now looks like the fire is down into Queens Canyon which is very narrow, very deep and rather long. :Local weather forecast doesn't include measurable rain for the next 14 days. Going to be a long summer.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on June 24, 2012 at 9:06 PM
Spooky watching the flames from Hwy-24 as we drove home last night. Been watching the news most of the day, packing a little and making plans if things turn worse. There is a lot of space (and Woodland Park) between us and the fire, but the winds carrying embers are worrisome. I was deployed in the Pacific during the Hayman fire. My wife and son remember it of course. Not a lot of fun.
It will be interesting to see the fire coverage area in the morning. I'll have to go through Canon City if I want to go to work.
They announced late Sunday morning that the area from Morning Sun to Rampart Rd here in Woodland Park is on standby for evacuation. I live in the Morning Sun development ! At the moment, 3:22AM, the smoke has cleared out a bit. It was heavier near midnight.
I was working in Springs Sat night/Sun morning and had to drive home Sunday morning via Gold Camp Rd to CrippleCreek, Divide, then Woodland Park. It took me an hour and 45 minutes. While I was driving I did not have cell coverage until I hit Divide, which is the moment I heard about the evacuation possibility.
We've packed the important papers, and some clothes, and if word does come to evacuate will unplug and pack up the computer and hard drives as well. Most of my 30,000+ slide and medium format trans libraries will have to stay, I'll have room for the more important ones, but I think those slides are pretty much history now anyway given the onslaught of digital.
Posted by Jack Garrett on June 25, 2012 at 7:41 AM
Don, stay safe and I'll be orating for you and your neighbors.
I drove up highway 24 Sunday morning about 6:00 and the highway was still open. They must have closed it shortly after I went through. The fire was getting pretty close to the highway. It seems like "Colorful Colorado" will soon be one color- charred
Discussion
9 repliesHere's hoping the flames don't reach the homes scattered all around the hills west of the Garden, although the latest news views don't look encouraging.
Your photo shows the immense power of these fires, TC.
I know when I was in CO last year it looked extremely dry below about 7,000 feet and the pine beetle damage makes the threat even more serious. Praying for rain - without lightning!!
It will be interesting to see the fire coverage area in the morning. I'll have to go through Canon City if I want to go to work.
I was working in Springs Sat night/Sun morning and had to drive home Sunday morning via Gold Camp Rd to CrippleCreek, Divide, then Woodland Park. It took me an hour and 45 minutes. While I was driving I did not have cell coverage until I hit Divide, which is the moment I heard about the evacuation possibility.
We've packed the important papers, and some clothes, and if word does come to evacuate will unplug and pack up the computer and hard drives as well. Most of my 30,000+ slide and medium format trans libraries will have to stay, I'll have room for the more important ones, but I think those slides are pretty much history now anyway given the onslaught of digital.