I’m leaving town today and for the first time ever, I am happy to be leaving Colorado.
Since I live in Northern Colorado the smoke from the High Park fire is ever present. Smoke is in the air, ash floats down, the sky is all white and the sun struggles to peek through but loses time and again.
The High Park fire has burned almost 45,000 arces and is only 10% contained. Our 8% humidity with no rain in the forecast is working against the effort.
It’s nasty and with drought on the horizon and the forests filled with trees already dead due to the pine beetle bug, all is not well.
Not well at all.
I took these photos on Sunday, June 10, 2012.
Related articles
- Colorado’s High Park fire on the move (blogs.denverpost.com)
- High Park wildfire ravages northern Colorado – in pictures (guardian.co.uk)
- State Resources Assisting with High Park Fire (#HighParkFire) (coemergency.com)
- Colorado snowpack at 2 percent of normal, leaving the state vulnerable for more wildfires (denverpost.com)
- Colorado wildfire: High Park Fire hurries homeowners, firefighters (denverpost.com)
- Some Containment Reported On High Park Fire (denver.cbslocal.com)
- Photos: High Park wildfire burning out of control; Evacuation notifications sent. (photos.denverpost.com)
- You: Colorado Fire Spreads Across 20,000 Acres (thedailybeast.com)
- Colorado wildfire: Crews make progress on High Park blaze (denverpost.com)
- Community Efforts Mapping Fort Collins Colorado #HighParkFire (gisuser.com)
- High Park Fire in Colorado spread fast, still burning (earthsky.org)
MargeKatherine, that’s terrifying! Especially the photos where the smoke cloud seems to be lit from within, and probably is. Be safe, and I hope your home and the people you know come through okay. And everyone else, too.
This has just taken over and now almost 50,000 arcres are gone. Our air is so dry and the forests are dead and the fire is having it’s way. Thanks for your thoughts!
Looking at the photos, I have to keep reminding myself that the huge clouds are smoke, not wet weather approaching. I suppose a real storm cloud is exactly what you need.
Again, I hope this is controlled soon without much more damage. My prayers are with you and all Coloradoans. Coloradoites.
Thinking of you, my friend.
I am so sad, this is tragic. But I hope and wish you to be in safe… and I hope your home and the people there to be in safe too. My prayers with you. Love, nia
Thanks Nia, this is tragic and the air is so filled with smoke and ash. It’s hard on the old and young. Thanks for the prayers.
Reblogged this on photographyofnia and commented:
I am so sad for this… My prayers and best wishes for the people there…
So sorry for this….I came to you by way of niasunset….
Thanks for visiting and your kind thoughts.
I will be thinking of you as will so many others..
I will pray too! Thanks for sharing. I hope that out of this fire will come new life and a healthy forest. God bless!
I agree – a rebirth is due for the forests.
How dreadful, the whole area will be totally different. I hope it recovers and everyone is safe and the wildlife too. Very sad.
Yes, the wildlife are caught up in the heat, drought and fire. So sad.
Hello, I’ve come to you via Niasunset too. I am so sorry about the fire and hope that you all stay safe. We visited Denver last October on our way from Prescott, where my sister was living, and on our way to catch the train to San Francisco and we love your country.
We will be thinking of you and hoping for the best.
Thanks for visiting, commenting and sending your best thoughts this way!
Hi,
That is a huge fire, it must be terrible especially with the weather the way it is as well, I hope everyone is able to stay safe, and they can get it all under control.
Thanks Magsx2! I appreciate your thoughts.
terrific photos, thanks for sharing
Prayers to you and yours, terrifying fire still not contained and it is so dry, I’m in AZ. I hope and pray for everyone in the path of the fire.
Yes, AZ knows well about dry air and dead forests and droughts. Thanks for visiting.
Great photos MargeKatherine. I pray for you and yours to be safe, and that God will send the rain to douse the fires.
Thanks Ann for your prayers. Welcome back!
what a heartbreaking sight. Let us all pray for good steady rains to arrive soon. Be safe.
Thanks Joss – a bit of humidity would be wonderful!
I hated to hit the like button because I do not like this news at all, but I’m thankful for your photos and news.
I know what you mean … I’m glad you chose to LIKE this anyhow!
I hope you are safe. Fabulous photos.
Be safe! I’ll pray for you and Colorado!
Terrifying slideshow. I am praying that you and yours are safe even as I am sadden for the loss of others as well as the trees and the wildlife.
I would do a rain dance if I thought it would help put out those fires!
Let’s all dance together — and sing rain songs!
Agreed!
All prayers are welcome, thanks!
How awful for everyone affected. I always feel that fire out of control must be really terrifying. Thankfully, I’ve never experienced it. Hoping for rain for you soon.
Dear MK – are you leaving as an evacuee?… Having just been through one of these, my heart goes out to all concerned, involved, living there, firefighters, crews.. landowners, wildlife… all. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Think calm winds, water, rain, natural cycles. … be safe, sending love. ~B
I am not an evacuee. This is north of me about 40 miles or so. I am thinking rain, rain, rain!
Oh, Marge — the photos are truly terrifying, as people say. Best of luck to you — wishes for strength and courage (both of which clearly you have, as always demonstrated on your blog) — and prayers for rain!
Thanks for your kind words and prayers. Colorado smells like a campfire. The blaze is close to 50,000 acres and no rain in sight. Not good.
So sorry to hear you are so near to this tragic situation…the weather is so unpredictable…storms…floods…fires…Wishing you the best…~mkg
Thanks Marilyn – the fire is still blazing away. It’s so hot and dry here!
Just stay safe…~mkg
Oh Margie, when we talked and you told me about the smoke but I had no idea how terrible it truly is. I’ll send prayers to the powers that are in hopes of rain to come your way.
It’s been over a week. 140 homes destroyed, 56,000 acres burned, 50% contained. It’s gonna be a long summer …