Here we go again...

[Ember]

I'd send His Lordship with his best crews and two tankers to you if I had access to a teleporter David. 45 years of active bushfire service has to count for something even if your terrain is a little different.

There is no doubt things are changing, no matter whether you want to put the blame on climate change or one of Mother Nature's cycles that are just too long for us to have witnessed.

Stay safe!

[bkrownd]

Not only fires, but these little guys are eating their way through a lot of the rest of the forest:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_beetle

[dreinecke]

Yep, nasty buggers and I've taken down dozens of trees in past few.

Ember, I'll get back with you on the transporter.

[ListerStormGT]

Wow Dave just about a year exactly. I will do a little dance to send you guys some of the rain we have been getting the last week. I hope they get it under control quickly for you guys. I know you are prepared if need be. Hang in there.

[FootScoot]

The weather has been doing some strange things the last few years. Some say climate change, and other cycling whatever it is it's not good. We're into June now so it will quit raining here until November or December. I'll be out mowing the dust before long. :)

You guys went through that last year too. I remember watching the news and saying I hope David and his family are OK. I'm praying it rains or the winds die down. :(

[dreinecke]

Europe is flooding, the midwest is getting hammered, and Colorado is turning into a dust bowl. Just the other day a huge dirt storm in the south east part of the state had the news talking about the years around the great depression. Absolutely crazy. No politics or arm chair weather theories here, but it is really strange.

Growing up as a kid, we had snow from Halloween until April on the ground. Lots of it. A February cold snap would go sub-zero for two weeks. Then we'd have afternoon rains at 4:30pm like clockwork. Those nice little pine beetles never lived in those conditions. Now, I can see dead trees from them everywhere. They can sense when pines are distressed from a lack of water and drill them. I've seen trees go from green to completely orange in 3 weeks. I've now probably dropped close to 50 trees doing cleanup on my 1 acre that were 90+ feet and 18+" base and a few hundred smaller ones. And, I'm still heavily wooded.

Well, if it were to hit my area, I guess I'd finally have mountain views!

I did get ahold of my friends at the Great Pyrenees Rescue and they were prepared to move the dogs out. They were evac'd around 10PM, and I'm not sure where they ended up. I guarantee I know about 3 people that have lost homes by looking at the fire maps.

To a few people's point about bugging out: I'm still shocked when I hear folks say they aren't leaving. Watched a few do it on the TV last night. Any fire, storm, hurricane, whatever- there is no way I'm staying.

The good/bad news is that fires is about the only real problem out here. Tornadoes can hit the east Colorado plains, but we don't have much in the way of disasters except this so far. I don't know how people in tornado/hurricane areas do this multiple times a year. Making me re-think where I'd move to if I found a job elsewhere...

[Florida_Slotter]

David,

Hopefully you, your family and also your home have escaped any damage / devastation from the fires in your area.

I too live in a heavily forrested area - we are on the southern end of the Ocala National Forest. We've had some wildfires and at times it does get tense.

Looking forward to hearing the "all clear" from you and yours.

[Ember]

Over the last few years here they have had to completely rebuild fire behaviour modelling. Fires are burning so much hotter than ever before. There were video recordings of fire generated tornadoes during the last bad fires in the Grampians a couple of years ago.

We had a season of good rain and growth last year. Dry summer and autumn. Winter is shaping up for lower than average rainfall. Next fire season is going to be a busy one.

[dreinecke]

Just checking in - thanks for the well wishes.

The fire went nuts today and spawned two heads in completely different directions...one right towards us, but thankfully the winds have finally died down and that seems to have slowed it up.

The Army Choppers (Chinooks and Blackhawks), the AF C130 (Guard and AF), and a MASSIVE DC10 have been throwing water and slurry down at a frantic pace. Hats off to those incredible men and women! They are still flying as one is going over my head at the moment. Oh! One looks like a B-24 that has been converted! Cool as heck.

The National Guard has also come in to spell law enforcement on the ground and keep the idiot gawkers and looters out of the area. Hopefully they have orders to shoot first and ask questions later. That made me sick when it happened during Waldo Canyon last year. Luckily some of them got nailed and they got VERY long sentences. I think the DA lost his house and had an axe to grind. I'd been happy to help...

I've discovered Twitter is the DUMBEST creation of all time. People spew falsehoods that then get repeated worldwide faster than you can imagine. No wonder celebrities love it - it is perfect for people that just want to be seen and heard.

I finally downloaded a free scanner for the iPhone and have been listening into the El Paso County EMS traffic. Much for intelligent, since these are the boots on the ground and actually know what is up.

So, that's where we're at right now. Hoping this thing gets stopped before it does more damage. About 92 homes destroyed thus far...not bad considering there are 1000's in there - unless yours is one of the 92 and then it sucks.

Lots of animal stories both good and bad. As a former-Veterinarian Wannabe...that kills me. I'm not as tough as I seem or so it appears.

More to come!

[Ember]

The water bombers are awesome. Can't say enough good things about those machines and the people that crew them.

Glad to hear you're safe David. Hope any wind change blows it back toward black ground.

[GENERAL MY WAY]

I just talked to our oldest son Chris who lives in the Springs. He said he has been helping people evacuate all day, pulling trailers of cattle, horses and other animals out. He said where he lives is safe for now.

David if you need help we have connections there just let us know.

[dreinecke]

Thanks! Luckily I do too. Tell Chris thanks so much for helping in the community! I love this place!

[dreinecke]

Well crap...just got a bunch of smoke and they just announced pre-evac within a mile of us. Doesn't mean the fire is close, just that's where they think it is going. So we will see what happens.

[MoparGreg]

Take care of yourself David. Fires are scary. Stay safe!

[sixtiesracer]

Ditto,from N.H. :pray: