Cathy, mmy first thought was there too. I hope everyone in Colorado is safe and tht they get those fires contained and out quickly.

Annie

I hope all are safe and sound. Like the bad weather forcasts during Earl - if you are told to leave PLEASE LEAVE! You are not replaceable! Prayers and thoughts with all....

Alexa

We are not close enough that our home is in danger, but close enough to get the side effects of the smoke and worry about those who are closer -- it's disturbing to look at the mountain view and see plumes of smoke.... stay safe everyone

Yikes. I just checked google maps. Stay safe everyone!

I was just watching the news and came here to see if any posters were in danger. I hope everyone is safe.

Please check in....you know how we worry.

We drove into Boulder just before sunset yesterday. This shot was leaning out the car window. We live about a mile straight ahead and off the street we were driving on by half a block. The distance to the bottom of the foothills is about two miles from this shot. I'm sure our house in Boulder will be safe but we own a spectacular view lot on the first ridge just below the inner point of the small skinny wedge of sky coming in from the left of the shot. We may lose all the pine trees and lower growth on the land. Today there are scenes of blazing structures and trees all over the area. It is thought that a car drove into a propance tank and started the blaze yesterday morning.

So far almost 70 structures, some homes, some barns and outbuildings have burned to the ground including the homes of 9 firemen who are fighting the blaze. It's over 70,000 acres and nothing has been contained yet. Over thirty mountain subdivisions have been evacuated including the one where our land is. The closest evacuation point is about 1 3/4 miles from our house.

Our house had been closed up completely for the nine days we were away and the smell of smoke in the house was minor. But by this morning, even though all the windows and doors were closed, it was so smokey in the house that I was having trouble breathing so I repacked the car, took Ollie and left for our son and DIL's house, an hour south and east of Boulder at 11:00AM. Max went to work, about twenty miles east of Boulder and he is driving home tonight to see how smokey it is. If it is too bad he will come here but it will make a much longer commute for him to start his office day at 7:00.

I'll probably be here several days. Even though the fire may be out before then, there will probably be more smoke than I can tolerate. For once, I'm glad that Michael and Amy live as far from Boulder as they do.

I'll update.

Lee

Lee, I have a cousin on Sugarloaf Road. Would anyone know if his house is safe?

Oh, Lee. I was wondering about the lovely property you told us about. I'm sorry. I hope that area is spared. Fires are often capricious that way.

Thanks for checking in Lee! You were the target of my post, as I'm sure you know. Terrible that such beauty is ravaged.

Cathy

I'm really, really, really glad to hear from you Lee.

Stay safe.

Nancy

Claire. I'm sorry to say that Sugarloaf Road is definitely not safe. I've linked an article from the Denver Post site, however more than the number of structures that they have reported as burned, have now burned to the ground. Our property is in Pinebrook Hills, also one of the most heavily impacted areas, but there is not a home on the land.

Yes fires are capricious, but thankfully as far as I know all the residents got out safely and most of the large animals, as well as pets were saved also. The Boulder County Fairgrounds is providing shelter for large animals that were evacuated by truck and trailers and the Holiday Inn in Boulder waived it's pet fee for evacuees renting rooms there.

Lee

Here is a link that might be useful: Denver Post article

Thank you Cathy, Nancy and everyone. I really thought someone else was the target of your post. I'm just grateful that we haven't heard of any injuries to people yet. As you all know, I really treasure life.

Lee

Sorry to hear about all those folks' homes. I'm glad you have someplace to stay away from the smoke Lee.

Oh Lee, I'm also glad you have somewhere to go until this is under control.

It saddens me to hear about the poor animals who cannot escape, as well as all those who lost their homes. I hope it gets put out quickly.

Annie

Glad to hear you, Max and Ollie are safe! Do what you need to do for your own health, Lee. I feel so bad for your part of the country going through these fires. Take care.

Teresa

Lee, prayers go to all of you. We've had several friends lose homes to fires, and there is long-term emotional trauma. Let's hope this gets contained quickly, and everyone stays safe.

Lee, I was concerned about you too, and thought you were still on your trip. We can hardly even see the foothills from my house, and definitely can't see anything beyond the first row of hills. It's really hazy all over town. The smoke smell is pretty strong here too. People with contacts are complaining about eye irritation and we are almost 50 miles from the fire. The forecast was for more wind again today. We had a lot yesterday which made it difficult for the firefighters, but we haven't had the wind today. Hopefully it wasn't windy down in Boulder either.
I have friends that arrived in Estes Park yesterday with their horses for jousting at the Scottish Festival. I'm wondering how the air is in Estes, and if that will bother the horses.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and those courageous fire fighters.

Claire, I do keep watching for updates for you and hope that you have heard from/about your cousin. There is no update yet that I have heard from midnight yesterday. At that time 92 structures were burned, 53 0f them homes. They had a partial address list of homes that were totaled and there were no addresses on Sugarloaf Rd., but they have not yet been able to survey the total area yet so not all addresses were posted. I will keep watching for you and thinking the best thoughts for your cousin's home. This morning it was announced that it will be at least three more days before residents are allowed to return to the foothills.

Dlynn, I was thinking about you on our drive home - now that your boys are back in school, although I know that doesn't mean you are any less busy, we should meet for lunch. It will have to wait until I'm back home because now I'm as far as you are from the fire but in the opposite direction. I left a phone message for a friend in Estes this morning asking about the air there but haven't heard back yet.

Thanks everyone for your good thoughts and prayers, I don't think we've seen/heard the worst of the fire yet. Like Annie, I feel very sad about the wild animals lost, well not so much about the rattlesnakes, but I know there are deer, elk, bears, wildcats and birds, along with smaller animals that would have been trapped. But I'm glad that warning and shelter was provided for horses, cows and domestic animals. It has been reported that some people who left their homes Monday morning to work in Boulder, lost their pets and I know that is heartbreaking. There are other stories though about neighbors breaking into homes to save their friends pets.

There is really no more news now.

Lee

Thanks Lee for checking on that. I haven't spoken to my cousin, as his mother just passed away and I'm sure he has had his hands full. It didn't keep me from wondering about him and his home however! I appreciate your report, and will keep good thoughts for you and those in your area.

I now see that 8 people are missing, I certainly hope they are all safe somewhere and that the firefighters can get the upper hand on this very soon.

Annie

Lee, I've been planning to go do a Penzey's run with friends for weeks, and have planned to invite you when we go. We decided to wait for school to start before we go --- school started yesterday for us, so I'm just getting back in the swing of things. I'll let you know when we go. You are right, though, I will be busier soon. Both boys are doing the Loveland Opera Gala in October, and my youngest will be working at the dinner theatre in Greeley from Nov- Jan. (rehearsals start the beginning of October). So, that pretty much takes care of my life until after Christmas since neither of them drive! I'm also in charge of all of the school dances, game nights, and pizza parties for our middle school. It's going to be a busy year.

Glad to hear that everyone is okay and SAFE as of now. Thanks for checking in and keeping us updated. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes. I sure hope they find or hear from the missing that Annie mentioned. I know how that smoke and smell can travel and hang in the air for many miles from the fires. I sure hope they can get this under control and soon.

David

I just got back to Parker after a meeting in Denver. The official missing count has dropped to five and maybe there will be something on the ten o'clock news that some of the remaining missing are accounted for.

Dlynn, my friend in Estes called a little while ago and said there is much less smoke today than yesterday or Monday. He knew about the festival you mentioned but didn't know if the events all went as scheduled. I'm sure the horses would have been bothered by the smoke though. I'd love to meet you for a Penzey's run - or anything else so just let me know. Keep me updated on the boys theatre activites too please. I can't believe all you've volunteered for.

The six o'clock news said the burned structure total was up to 140, don't know how many are homes but more than were reported yesterday. I'll be watching the ten o'clock news for updates. The fire isn't larger in area but it isn't smaller either. Now the forest service has taken over management of fire fighting and I hope we'll have better news tomorrow. We've had temps in the high 80s and only a little rain this afternoon and no more predicted so the dry air makes it harder too.

Claire, still no mention of addresses on Sugarloaf, but no updated posting either. How terrible for your cousin to have this to deal with after losing his mother. I'm truly sorry. I'll keep him in my thoughts and keep watching for address updates.

Thank you all again for keeping those in our area in your thoughts. It is always a comfort to know how much we share each others hardship and joy.

Lee

My daughter is in Denver...she says that the north west looks like a terrible thunderstorm is coming...She is fine and our trip, next week, should not be affected. Please tell me it is true!

Thanks for the updates Lee and dlynn. Hoping all will be OK soon.

That little bit of rain down there yesterday must have helped.... the news says it's 10% contained today, and we don't see as much smoke as yesterday. But that could just be the wind direction or the early morning air. Bad news, though, is there is no more rain in the forecast for the next 7 days and the winds are supposed to be in the 15-20mph with gusts up to 40mph. I think it's already the worst fire in Colorado history.
Lee, are there many beetle-killed pines down there? We don't have too many yet in our foothills, but they are starting. I'm really worried about what will happen if we get a wildfire in the mountains where there are lots of dead trees from the beetles. That will be scary.

Scary stuff....glad Lee and dlynn are safe....anyone know about Renee? Doesn't she live near Boulder?
Linda C

Lee, that photo reminds me of when I was very young, living just south of Denver. There were fires in the mountains then, and they made such dramatic sunsets. Certainly not good for the people affected, though.

I'm sending my prayers to all of you affected by this fire, and to the rescuers helping the people and the critters. I'm so sorry about your land, and the homes of all the people that lost them.

Sally

This mornings news is a little better. Residents of several foothills areas including the one our land is in, are expected to be allowed to return this morning. But we are expecting winds with 45-50 mph gusts tonight so they have also been told that they may have to evacuate again. Claire, Sugarloaf and Sunshine Canyon are not being reopened yet.

One of the major highways into the area has been reopened and students from the closed schools will be bussed into Boulder schools for temporary classes. The burned to the foundation home total is up to 130 this morning - very sad news.

RR, when I drove into Denver lat night for a meeting, a little north and west of downtown, the air was clear - not even a hint of smoke. What area does your DD live in? Your trip next week should be fine unless conditions change. Will you have any free time to meet - lunch, coffee or...? I'd love to see you.

dlynn, we did get a letter very recently from the Pinebrook Assoc. on pine beetles, but Max couldn't remember if they are doing control measures and then assessing property owners or if it was a request for everyone to voluntarily take control measures. Of course the letter is in Boulder.

Linda, no, Renee doesn't live anywhere near here, no even in Colorado as far as I know. You may remember that when she moved, she posted something that made me think she was in this area, but when I asked she said no.

I'm hoping that conditions will improve and that I'll return home on Sunday, but it's a wait and see situation now.

Lee

Oh Lee, DD may have said something other than NW. I was listening but not really. I knew she, you and dlynn were safe so I didn't pursue it any further. I'll e-mail you and let you know when we will be there so we can meet up for lunch, coffee or snack! Can't wait to see you!

I just heard that they are looking at evacuating people in west Boulder, and warning everyone west of Broadway, in town. This is truly frightening!

Wow, even the hospital is west of Broadway. They haven't evacuated the area yet, but they've told everyone to mow grass, shut windows and doors, move propane tanks away from homes, fill gas tanks in cars, and park cars heading out of driveways and packed with important papers and valuables. They are expecting the wind to change directions this evening with gusts in the 55mph range causing embers to blow into the city igniting structures there.

OMG! Helene and dlynn I just read your messages and turned on the TV at our son's home. We live two blocks east of Broadway, so close enough to be worried. My friend Charlotte lives two blocks west of Broadway so she is in the possible evacuation area. She is gathering family heirlooms and other important stuff.

The hospital is on Broadway but extends one block west of Broadway so yes, it is in the possible evac area too.

Please send your good thoughts our way. The temperature in Denver was 90 today, with under 10% humidity by mid day. It probably would have been several degrees cooler in Boulder but not more than that. The winds have picked up where I am in Parker to the point where you would not want to sit outside and eat dinner and it is usually more windy in Boulder.

I'll post again tonight,

L

My heart goes out to you! I grew up in Lakewood and left the area in 1984, after 3 blizzards. Hate the cold.

Now, here in FL, we get fires in the summer due to lack of rain. We've been fortunate these last few years. No hurricanes either. Trade one for the other!

Take care of yourself! Hope you come out of this in once piece!

Oh Lee, I was hoping for better news, praying for a downpour for you all out there.

Stay safe, all of you!

Annie

Lee, I thought your house was in the evac area or very close. I hoped I was wrong. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you tonight. So far, the winds haven't gotten strong up here. I hope it stays as calm down in the Boulder area. Sure wish we could get a good rain storm.

Well no news is good news for now. We watched the Saints game with a constant eye for a banner at the bottom of the screen and Max was ready to drive back to Boulder and grab some things if there was a warning. And I know Charlotte would have called immediately if she received a reverse 911 call. I don't expect anything different on the ten o'clock news but I can't say we're not worried either.

They just started an early news cast and the evacuation watch area that Charlotte lives in has not changed. I hope she is safe and that our house, half a mile east of her, is safe also. I'm sure we'll wake up several times during the night and turn on the TV for updates.

Lee

And I checked the MSNBC page and saw a picture of flames, and thought it was Boulder, but no, it's a massive 24" gas line explosion in San Bruno, just above 280 and the San Francisco airport.

Horrible!

And I lived in Boulder for about 5 years (long long ago), and have many memories. My son was born in 1967 in the other hospital, in the hills, not Community on Broadway. Is that still there? We lived at that time on 6th and North, and almost bought a home on Maxwell, in that area.

Wow, just a shock.

Lee thinking of you and Max and Charlotte.

Ann

Just as they are getting the fires under control down in Boulder, another fire has broken out up here in Loveland. The firefighters and planes from out of state were packing up to head home, but had to head up this way. The fire started a few hours ago and is over 600 acres now and is growing quickly. Luckily, this area isn't as heavily populated as the foothills around Boulder (it's already burned at least one home, though), and the winds aren't as strong today. But, our humidity is only 6% and no rain expected for at least a week. We haven't had any rain in over 6 weeks, so we'll probably be seeing more fires if people aren't careful.

Oh no, dlynn, I'd hoped that there would be some rain soon and that there wouldn't be such a fire danger.

Stay safe.

Annie

Dlynn, I just heard about the Loveland area fire from Max a little bit ago. I've been unpacking and starting to catch up on house things and haven't had the TV on. I'll be watching the 9:00 news though. We went to the dog park tonight and there was a line up of small buses and small fire trucks, all with the same name and logo, that were from New Mexico at a gas station near our house. As they filled up and were leaving the station, they all turned north and when I commented how strange that was since NM is south, Max said he had heard about a fire that started near Loveland and that they were probably going there to help. I can't believe how hard our part of the state is being hit this year. Thankfully there are a lot firefighters and tanker planes that are already in the area that can help and that the reservoirs and Carter Lake can provide water. I just heard that 2 homes have burned. I know that you are far enough away to probably not be in danger but my heart goes out to everyone in the area.

We came home from our son's home, about an hour south and east of Boulder, yesterday afternoon. Max and Ollie came home before I did and called me to let me know that there was only a faint smell of smoke in our house and the air was clear outside. When I got home, my eyes burned a little but I didn't have any breathing problems so we just turned up the AC to filter the air a little more. It's OK today.

I certainly never dreamed our San Francisco vacation would be extended by nearly a week in Parker and I'm glad to be home.

Tomorrow I start back to cardiac fitness and know that will be a struggle since I've been away so long at sea level.

Lee

Yikes!!!!!!