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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Colorado Springs Fire

These were the scenes in my town yesterday evening.  We have over 30,000 people who have been evacuated and many homes were lost.  Personally, I know 4 families who live in the heart of this mess, 3 of whom still don't know the fate of their homes.  Landmarks have been lost, homes have burned to the ground.  The uncharacteristically  high temperatures and extreme dry conditions have only worsened the situation.  


After 3 1/2 days of the wildfire burning forest but not structures, a 65 mph wind gust pushed the fire up and over Queen's Canyon and a rapidly moving wall of fire came racing down the hill above this large subdivision.  Many of the residents in the area had been evacuated since Saturday, but those living in the area shown immediately above went from pre-evacuation status to mandatory evacuation Tuesday late afternoon and had very little time to get in and get their things.  As of now, there are no reported lives lost which is, in and of itself, a miracle.  Homes can be replaced, people cannot, so while we rejoice in that, we hurt for those who will have to start all over. 




My home is on the "right" side of the interstate.  We are safe and not too worried about the fire coming this way.  Regardless of this, I have friends who are displaced and uncertain as to the fate of their homes.  Our city has been deeply hurt by this horrible wildfire.  I hope you can understand that the posting of my pretty little pictures of my tschotskies seems trivial in comparison, so I will forgo that for a bit.  Please pray for the people of Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas and, of course, for our brave firefighters who are enduring almost unbearable heat and fatigue to try and keep this monster at bay.  I will post again when it seems more appropriate.

Until next time,


35 comments:

  1. I had not heard about this on the news (I'm in Australia).
    Bushfire events such as these are sadly an annual occurence in Australia.
    My heart goes out to all affected.

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  2. ...oh dear...
    i'm sending safe prayers your way for your family and for a quick resolve for those that have been displaced...
    these fires are very frightening and can switch direction in an instant! in NV we would get them every summer as the climate is like yours, dry.
    the smell and ash in the air was horrible.
    i feel for you dear one.
    stay safe!
    xi, Rosemary

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  3. Our hearts and minds are definitely with you all there. Last night in Bible Study we prayed for those facing the fires and for those facing floods in Florida - I remember that kind of dangerous fires and hot, dry heat when I lived in California - do all you can to be safe.
    God Bless,
    Kathy

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  4. This is so horrible and devastating. I hope they're able to get control of it soon. That air can be very dangerous to breathe also so stay safe and you're all in the thoughts and prayers of so many.

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  5. Our deepest prayers are with you and your family. These pictures are heart breaking. You placing this on the blog (Sad to say) adds a different level of humanity to the story. It personalizes this event. If you would not mind, can you share this post at our linky party? More people need to see this and know that it is affecting folks in our blog family. The more people we get praying the better.

    Paula
    ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

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  6. All of us are watching this fire, it is so awful. Judy, I had no idea you were this close to it. Arizona has had awful fires but not like this one. Sending prayers and praying those involved are safe.

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  7. My prayers are with everyone dealing with the fires out there. The firefighters and other emergecy personel, the people being displaced from their homes, those who have lost their homes and everything they have, and everyone else who are effected by them. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

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  8. We even had a huge fire out here on the prairie on Monday. And yesterday with the thunder storms there were sirens going both ways on my road. We all need to pray. I'm thankful you are OK.♥♫

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  9. Judy,
    This fire is horrific.We are praying for everyone in the path of this fire.
    (((((Hugs))))
    Anne

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  10. Judy, the sentiment of your post touched my heart today and reminds me that the "things" we love are never as important as the heart of family and the connections we have to home. I have been following this story and will keep all those involved in my prayers.

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  11. My god, the poor people, seeing everything they have worked for going up in flames. I just cannot imagine what they must be going through. Mother Nature can be so cruel. I just hope that people are not losing their lives.

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  12. i have family very close to there and am so worried for them and ALL of you. know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. may God keep you safe.

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  13. It's so , so sad......My prayers are with you and everyone else in that terrible fire. We have been watching it on TV and it is heart wrenching!
    Blessings, Lorraine

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  14. It appears that it is inconceivable to burn. I sincerely hope that nobody gets hurt.

    Warm hugs
    Elna

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  15. This is awful. How miraculous that there is no loss of life, but how devastating to be seeing everything go up in flames. Know that the rest of the country is praying for the good people of Colorado.

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  16. Dear Judy, I am praying for all of the people in all the wild fires. I pray the wind dies down and the rains come to help. Many are thinking of all of you. xo, Susie

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  17. Mu best friend lives near the fire by Ft. Collins. It's just terrible, I wish we could send Colorado our rain!

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  18. Hi! Judy,

    Just joined your blog and would like to express how sorry I am for everyone in Colorado Springs. My thoughts and prayers are with all. Thank God! for no loss of lives. I have the upmost respect for Firefighters. God Bless! them and all of you.

    Praying....
    Stay safe! Take care.

    Blessings & Hugs,
    Marlene

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  19. So sorry for all the people and the homes lost, and evacuations. My heart goes out to all of you. I can only hope the nightmare ends soon. Prayers are sent your way.

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  20. Judy, sending thoughts of concern for all who have lost their homes. Serious wild fires raged out of control all around Austin last summer. it is so frightening. I pray you and your home will remain safe. ~ Sarah

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  21. Judy, Sending prayers to everyone! Hoping that the fire will end soon...

    Jody

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  22. Judy, sending prayers your way...I also have family in the area and have been praying for their safety!
    Blessings to all in Colorado Springs!
    Take care,
    xo
    Debbie

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  23. I am so dreadfully sorry that the rain will not quench this fire...
    God help all to be safe...people and animals!

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  24. What a shame and I am so so very sorry. I am going to say a prayer for you. I have been praying about the whole situation. It is just awful. You are my thoughts.

    Cynthia

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  25. Sending prayers to all...you are in my thoughts.

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  26. these photo's are so sad..I pray for all who are in the path of this horrible destruction..Please be safe..

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  27. I'm so very sorry that this Natural Disaster has impacted the Lives of so many Families. Our Prayers are with those faced with the sorrows and uncertainties of the situation and have endured such loss. Also the loss to everyone of such a Naturally Beautiful Scenic area.

    God Bless... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  28. Judy dear, I hadn't seen your post until just a few minutes ago. I'm so sorry, and I'm hoping that you and your family are still safely out of harm's way. I've seen alot of coverage on CNN, and it didn't click that that was where you are. I know the trauma your city must be going thru right now. Just know that you and all your neighbors and community are in my prayers.
    much love, Debra

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  29. How terrible this is. Your photos really bring it home to me, they are so realistic! Especially the second one of the houses being burned. Thinking of you and your town and hoping there are no lives lost.

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  30. Oh my dear, I truly know how awful this is. I live in the San Diego community that lost 350 homes in 2003. We were evacuated for 3 days...such an awful feeling. It was like nighttime at 2 in the afternoon there was so much smoke and ash. We had to wear face masks while outside for a week. I'm so sorry for all the families going through this and send prayers.

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  31. My heart goes out to all involved in these fires! I can't even imagine what they are going through. Hats off to the firefighters who fight these fires day in and day out in sweltering heat also. May God have mercy and stop this fire soon!!
    Blessings~

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  32. Dear Judy,
    I came here to congratulate you on being one of the winners in Debra's giveaway at Common Ground as am I...but when I saw the pictures on your post, my heart stood still!! I read through the post and I'm grieved at the devastation I see here. I WILL definitely pray...for peace, comfort, safety and restoration for all the people in your sweet town. Keep us posted when you can! Stay safe!
    Blessings & hugs,
    Karen

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  33. I am so sorry that you all have had to live through this. Your pictures are so much more frightening than anything I have seen. Take care and God bless.
    Lucy

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