Buildings destroyed, people missing in Colorado wildfire
Source: msnbc
DENVER, Colo. An out-of control Colorado wildfire fueled by high winds and hot temperatures left an unknown number of people missing, destroyed 10 structures and prompted evacuations on Saturday, fire officials said.
A blaze in northern Colorado was first reported Saturday morning and had grown to about 8,000 acres by mid-evening, while a fire in southern New Mexico was small for a few days until it began growing Friday, reaching about 10,000 acres.
Larimer County Sheriff's Office spokesman John Schulz said the fire expanded rapidly during the late afternoon and evening and by Saturday night, residents living along several roads in the region had been ordered to evacuate and many more were warned that they might have to flee. An evacuation center was set up at a middle school in Laporte.
Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47754113/ns/weather/?ocid=twitter#.T9Sl5LWvOW0
originalpckelly
(24,382 posts)It was more than 100 in some places in Denver, meaning in the mountains it was probably in the 70s or 80s.
It is so weird for it to be this hot this time of year, we should be going through a monsoon type of weather right now with tons of storm drenching the mountains and plains, but nada.
Woody Woodpecker
(562 posts)a balmy 72 is forecasted today - should be a fun Father's Day - all five of us (grandparents included) are heading to a exotic car show - not my thing, but it excites my 3 year old son
originalpckelly
(24,382 posts)But I smell smoke outside, and that's SE Denver.
kemah
(276 posts)Here in Galveston County after Hurricane Ike everyone lined up to get that evil socialist FEMA money. Ron Paul supporters getting evil socialist money. They surely talk the talk, but won't walk their Ann Rynd talk.
hlthe2b
(102,419 posts)mild in comparison...Frightening to go outside and see that gigantic plume of smoke just beyond the foothills. I hope those missing actually got out somehow, but, sadly I'm doubting it. So many were smart enough to start the evacuations early and so many rallied to get horses and other animals out as well. Thankfully after Katrina, shelters are required to allow dogs and other pets now too--and the one in LaPorte is full of them.
Viva_La_Revolution
(28,791 posts)just saw they've been evacuated (not my grandparents, the new owners and all the neighbors)
Evacuations ordered in Poudre Canyon
http://www.reporterherald.com/news/larimer-county/ci_20822948/evacuations-ordered-poudre-canyon
half my childhood is up there. I feel like bawling
hlthe2b
(102,419 posts)fizzgig
(24,146 posts)fourth fire up here in as many weeks. i know that fire is necessary for this ecosystem, but not like this. i am worried that we're in for a repeat of 2002.
i am very grateful for our firefighters, they've worked awfully hard the last month.
Demonaut
(8,931 posts)were dead from Walsenburg to Wyoming, pine beetle kill has devastated our mountains....It's truly amazing to see the amount of dead trees.
fizzgig
(24,146 posts)i got pretty far up the poudre canyon last year and saw huge patches of them. i fear you are right.
Demonaut
(8,931 posts)it's bad!
PatrynXX
(5,668 posts)media says northern CO. no shit. bet alot of folks are in Northern CO where!!! Fort Collins. well shit. I know people there thanks alot dumb dolt media. grrrrrr lemme guess media has no directions whatsoever.. zzzzz
nanabugg
(2,198 posts)the 1% have more expensive properties to cover, they have attorneys who know how to file for benefits and get results, and most live in secluded areas to get away for the 99% "riff-raff" but those areas for more subject to natural disasters. Republicans and other "conservatives" are the most hypocritical individuals alive. The radical conservative states contribute far less to the Federal coffers than they receive from it, yet they complain the most about the Federal government and the "social welfare" programs because they mainly just don't want "those others" to be helped by the government.
wordpix
(18,652 posts)or near a river or seacoast.
Mother Nature (aided by man's folly and stupidity) sometimes rages with fires and floods. Definitely something to think about when you're thinking about "getting away from it all."
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)but lived there in the late 60s and then also again 1974-1982. I only remember a couple of fires up Poudre Canyon EVER. Those homes up in the canyon have been there for many decades with minimal concern about fire because it wasn't so dry that it was an issue. With global warming, now it is.
Don't you go blaming those homeowners.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Fires and floods are both measured on scales like 10 year, 50 year, 100 year, 1000 year.
If you live on the edge of a forest (like me) you maintain fire breaks. Even on the good years, because if you don't, there will be dead material to burn on the bad years.
Fires are a natural part of a forest's lifecycle. If you live near brushland or forests, you must prepare for fires.
SkyDaddy7
(6,045 posts)It really does not matter where one lives fire & other natural disasters will find you...Fires can be a problem in such areas but not very often like we see taking place now. Times have changed & will only get worse as the climate continues to spiral out of control!
wordpix
(18,652 posts)And pay for insurance accordingly.
I for one do not want to pay to rebuild people's homes when they get destroyed b/c they built on the beach in the ocean surge zone, river flood zone or in areas known for fires. If you're going to build in a fire-prone area, at least take proper precautions like (as poster noted below) building and maintaining fire breaks, having a good source of water to water down buildings, and using building materials that don't burn.
Fires can happen anywhere in the dry West. Just b/c they didn't happen in your area when you were growing up, doesn't mean they won't happen.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)that far north.
hlthe2b
(102,419 posts)Last edited Sun Jun 10, 2012, 12:39 PM - Edit history (1)
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)More fires, bigger fires, more droughts, bigger droughts, shifting flora ecosystems, blah blah blah.
We are doing this to ourselves.
AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)Reagan-era 'fight all fires' strategies, that prevent natural burns. We're starting to back away from that, finally.
hlthe2b
(102,419 posts)greymattermom
(5,754 posts)Time to stop spending tax money of worthless government interventions?