Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

[bajaunderground]

We went camping at Lake Pueblo SP this weekend, only to have our neighbors inform us late yesterday there was a fire in Waldo Canyon (approximately 5 +or - from our neighborhood). We caught up on the news, got up and packed and headed home. Got home around 10:30 and proceeded to clean camper and reload with pics/important docs/safe. Took camper back to storage place (approx 10 miles away from the fire).

Anyway, we haven't been asked to evacuate yet but neighborhoods about 1 mile north have been asked through reverse 9-1-1.

My biggest issue is I am a firefighter and have my redcard, but not in a position to go and help...want to so bad!

Here's a video from my front porch @ about 11:00am.

http://youtu.be/Ke2QVUTuebo

~Brett

 

[FlaCowboy]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

Do not take any chances. Sounds like you have already started getting the important stuff together.

Hope All Goes Well !!!

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

Thanks, we always prepare for the worst and hope for the best!

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

I told the wife a couple days ago I was thinking of getting my redcard again, talk about a short discussion...

Not liking this year brother, three new fires today, all of which were jumped on like I can't remember but you know how it is any resources used to snuff out new fires are drawn from the big ones, 4 MAAFS are allocated today, this is could be a summer to forget real quick.

I keep being asked about how the High Park compared to the Hayman, its funny the Hayman seemed like yesterday I can't believe its been 10 years ago already...

Also I get off at 4 PM and the wife is back with my truck, if you need anything you got my number.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

I told the wife a couple days ago I was thinking of getting my redcard again, talk about a short discussion...

Not liking this year brother, three new fires today, all of which were jumped on like I can't remember but you know how it is any resources used to snuff out new fires are drawn from the big ones, 4 MAAFS are allocated today, this is could be a summer to forget real quick.

I keep being asked about how the High Park compared to the Hayman, its funny the Hayman seemed like yesterday I can't believe its been 10 years ago already...

Also I get off at 4 PM and the wife is back with my truck, if you need anything you got my number.

Thanks Lipp, I am still a part time/reservist FF at Broadmoor FD, I still have my redcard. We drove around in the ambulance chatting with a few CSFD guys and attempted to go into Cedar Heights, the CSPD didn't allow us to go! We wanted to help out some way unofficially!

Looks much better today, the winds were favorable yesterday (haven't seen an update for today) total acreage is up to 3,600 acres.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

yeah I asked my Sgt. if there was SOP on me getting my redcard and he asked me if I was a cop or a hose puller, I told him that if he knew anything about Wildland fire fighting he would realize there is almost zero hose pulling for redcard firefighters!!

But he said he didn't know of any but would ask just in case, figured I would get my eggs in a row in case I do it, Had a friend call me last night out of the blue asking if I was going to do it and I told him it looks like were going to need it this year, I didn't know what else to say but were just a week into summer now and I am a rookie at the SO so I am not likely to be needed much anyway, may as well do my part where I can be most effective..

Volunteer or not were going to need all the red cards we can get this year, I truly believe that....

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

Guys, as of the last time I talked to Baja(little over an hour ago) he was preparing to evacuate, he is within a mile of this fire now, Please if you have it in you your thoughts and prayers would be helpful.

If you are interested in listening this is the feed I am listening to

http://www.bobfireman.com/onlinescanner.htm

This is live streaming video

http://www.kktv.com/video/live

Twitter at #waldocanyonfire

Right now the firefighters are giving up entire neighborhoods.....

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

Right now this fire is north and west of Baja.

32,000 evacuated so far...

 

[sam60]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

That is very bad,...sorry to all that lose property but I hope they get out alive. Watching the KKTV feed.

Very bad.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

Still have yet to hear from Baja, but his neighborhood is now officially under a mandatory evacuation. I know he is safe though

 

[Colorado_Boater]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

My poor state is going up in smoke,
by morning the whole of colorado springs will be burnt to the ground.
pray for all the families that lost their house, watched about 30 homes go up in flames.
sad sad day.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

Have been watching and the FF part in me wants to get on a plane NOW! Wish I could ... If our brush truck would make the trip I would push for a crew ... Definitely been thinking about Baja. Thoughts and prayers for all involved.

Thanks for the links, Lipp.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

Saw some more news and now just kinda' chekin' in this morning ... looks scary out there. All best hopes and prayers for y'all.

Keep us posted as you can.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

I sure wish I could've sent TS Debby your way. Be safe!

 

[angus63]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

News this morning was difficult to watch. Whole divisions engulfed. My sympathies to all affected and my best wishes to you Brett aka bajaunderground.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

well I talked to Brett an hour ago and he is fine, has been evacuated but allowed to periodically go by his home and water, everything...

Things are quieter so far this evening but winds are due to change again so we are hopeful that everything will be better.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

Good to hear Lipp. Thanks for the update. I heard some storms were giving 'em problems earlier today.

You guys stay safe.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those folks in Colorado. I can't imagine what it's like to experience something like the fires ya'll are having. Good luck and ya'll keep safe.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire

OK, too all following this...

Waldo Canyon Update. The fire has burned over 18,500 acres, 347 homes burnt (in the Mountain Shadows are, about 1 mile from my home, which is in the NW part of Colorado Springs). 2 confirmed deaths (same home, and by all accounts were elderly invalids? SAD). 1,200 firefighters, Obama visited Friday the 30th and offered up Federal Money (thank you fellow iboaters). 4 of the 5 MAFFS actively slurrying the fire, 2 black hawks, 1 type I helicopter (think sky crane, 1,200 gallons), many SEATs (Single Engine Air Tanker 1,200gal), many type III helicopters (450-500 gallons) and many more I've forgotten.

Tuesday we went to the lake and had a nice day as it looked as if the fire was gonna lay-down because it moved slowly on Monday night...got a call from neighbors at about 5:00pm telling us we "might want to get home as it's looking bad." We headed home as fast as we could to only find our neighborhood covered in thick brown smoke. We loaded more stuff into the cars and left (with boat in tow, of course). Wife went to friend's house 20 miles East, I went to work on the ambulance...Crap hit the fan at about 7:30-8:00pm, we drove through the affected area (see video #1) We stopped to get fuel about 1/2 mile from the fire in the Mountain Shadows area (see video #2)... The evacuation orders for our neighborhood was lifted Thursday evening @ 8:00pm...we came home Friday, no damage, some blackened embers all over neighborhood, otherwise unscathed. As a side note the fire reached about 1 mile from us to the West and 1/4 mile from the North Garden Of The Gods Road.

Video #1

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Colorado Waldo Canyon Fire