Yesterday afternoon a new fire began in the Rist Canyon Area. It began as a brush fire and is located about 12 miles from my condo. The above image was taken yesterday evening around 6:40 pm at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area, a favorite hangout for me. Here is what that scene normally looks like at sunset. This is in the same vicinity of the High Park fire back in 2012 that burned over 87,000 acres and killed one woman. Needless to say the air quality is horrible at the present moment. We are now getting smoke from our two fires and but also the smoke from California fires are now moving into the area, even reaching as far east as Nebraska.
If you look closely in this image you can see the helicopter carrying a bucket of water to the fire. They have brought in firefighters from the Cameron Peak Fire in an attempt to gain control as quickly as possible. But, we are talking about nature which we have no control over. Last report I saw this morning the fire had grown to 140 acres at 11:00 pm last night with 0% containment.
The Cameron Peak fire is now over 19,000 acres and at 0% containment. Weather conditions are not good. Temperatures are expected to be in the 90’s the next five days with no precipitation. I’m inside this morning with my door closed because of the smoke. Not burying my head in the sand but trying not to take in any more smoke and soot than necessary. Probably not going to run a marathon today but I will try to get my walk in.