Wildfires In Colorado

Last night as the sun set, the sky seemed almost alive.

It was after I took the photo that I wondered if the mass of clouds could be from the newest fires burning northwest of us outside of Boulder. I've heard that those billowing clouds could actually create their own weather. I hope they create rain. Lots and lots of rain.

For 5 days, Denver has had high temperatures of no less than 100 degrees. They've tied the record of 105 degrees...twice. There has been no rain. Everything is dry. Not even the weeds in my back yard are growing. We get the lightning and the thunder...but no rain.  Unfortunately, those lightning strikes are causing fires.

It's been pretty spooky lately watching coverage on the news of all the Colorado wildfires...especially the most recent coverage of the one outside of Colorado Springs. Actually, I should be saying "IN Colorado Springs".  To see tens of thousands of people evacuating...entire neighborhoods engulfed in flames...

People's homes...gone.

(AP Photo/The Denver Post, Helen H. Richardson)

When I first saw this photo, I couldn't speak. Then I cried. I can't even begin to imagine what it feels like to be in their shoes right now. To have precious minutes ticking away as you determine what in your home you will be able to save and what will have to be left behind...knowing it may not survive.

Historic places...gone. 

Mr. LH and I had put the Flying W Ranch on our list of "must visit" places. The historic mountain cattle ranch offered up chuckwagon suppers and "cowboy music" along with a "Western Town" to explore.

Source: FlyingW.com

But it would be a long way to travel just for dinner so we put it off until whatever time we were in the area for other reasons (a visit to Pike's Peak or the Garden Of The Gods). We haven't yet been able to make that trip and yesterday, The Flying W Ranch burned to the ground.

The Garden of the Gods is/was also threatened by the fire.
The Air Force Academy was evacuated.
The huge wildfire outside of Fort Collins continues to burn. It's been burning now for at least a month.

If you are looking for a way to help people affected by these wildfires, go to http://www.helpcoloradonow.org/. This website lists how/where to send financial donations, drop off centers for material donations and where to go to volunteer your time with the responding agencies.