My mother is a mostly retired Red Cross disaster nurse. She’s not retired anymore and has been deployed at the management end of things. The one near Estes looks really scary.
It really is @Caol Ila :no: lt is too windy to fly up there (60mph) and they can’t see the fire for the smoke. There are helicopters flying here, heading south and west working the Cameron Peak fire in advance of the expected winds on the leading edge of the cold front, but there is nothing they can do about the Troublesome fire, only try to get people out of its way.
Hopefully the firefighters can hang on in Estes until the precipitation is well underway. It is a dangerous situation for them.There is so much beetle kill up there, it is just the worst case scenario right now.
https://www.coloradoan.com/picture-gallery/news/2020/10/25/snow-storm-hits-fort-collins-cold-front-sweeps-through-colorado-foot-accumulation-expected/6033176002/
Estes Park and all the way up to the north side of the Cameron Peak fire is getting snow.
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Snow photos from the fire zones https://www.coloradoan.com/picture-gallery/news/2020/10/25/snow-falls-cameron-peak-east-troublesome-fires-colorado/6035764002/
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Hopefully enough snow to really snuff out the fire and what’s smoldering in the scurf.
The fire officials say it will not put out the fire, but it will slow it down and give them time to plan. :yes:
A foot of snow fell on the northern part of the Cameron Peak fire in early September (we had 6 inches here) and it didn’t put the fire out. As soon as the weather warms up and the “fuels” dry out, the fire will blow up again. According to fire officials there will be a “season ending” weather scenario, but this isn’t it. Warmer weather and wind are coming. 
Firefighters are to be commended for their ground work in 60mph winds Saturday. They saved Estes Park.
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Thinking of you, Colorado.
That is such a tragic loss of life. So sad for those who loved them.
Disaster specialists have said that the elderly are often the most difficult to persuade to evacuate, in any emergency. That is the time of life that we want the most stability and the least change. Elderly people tend to be firm in their thinking and reluctant to accept that the threat will really reach into their own home. That is what studies have shown of those who have refused to evacuate before hurricanes, fires and other disasters.
I used to live and recreate all over that area. Feeling so sad for those who live there, and for the destruction of the fires. Hopefully there will be a positive recovery.
The idea of Estes Park evacuated is so strange, it was always such a vibrant, alive place.
Have vacationed in Grand Lake and think it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The lake appears to be nearly pristine, a classic large mountain lake. The aspens, the alpine terrain - such a special place. Three consecutive years I visited one of the lodge grounds with friends and went on the long mountain trail rides that they offer. Moose would wander in to the campground lay down and nap, maybe waiting on room service? :winkgrin: I am so sorry to hear that this area has suffered so much destruction. Very glad that the horses and people and other domestic animals got out, though.
I can only image what this has been like for the wild animals, who don’t understand fire maps or evacuation orders. I’m sure it has been devastating.
Praying for a huge long heavy snow over the entire fire area.
I’m another CSU grad. Sad times, but I’m glad Estes Park and Ft Collins are OK so far.
I lived in Grand County for 25 years after graduating CSU a million years ago. (Moved to the front range about 8 years ago or so.) I just couldn’t post earlier about the fires. Too raw and not my story. (Although the C Lazy U evacuating 200 horses is a tale unto itself.) The name “East Troublesome” is taken from a creek in the startup location of the original fire, but it proved beyond accurate as a descriptor!
Here’s a great link describing what happened … it wasn’t just beetle kill, here’s also the description of how the initial superheated fire created a cyclone event and essentially ran away. Sage and scrub are as guilty as forest in some parts. It isn’t mentioned elsewhere that I’ve seen, but private landowners (like myself) had clearcut and created defensible spaces which were nothing against the wind. I’m sad for those who lost their secondary homes, more so for primary homes and absolutely confoundedly relieved when some of my friends were allowed back in and found their home standing after not knowing anything for so long.
Anyway, super interesting article:
https://coloradosun.com/2020/11/02/east-troublesome-fire-colorado-tick-tock/
Be safe, everyone! Hug your horses and your families!
(And, my daughter just committed to CSU for college and will be starting there next fall so shout out to all you other alums!)
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