Fire

We've been effected by the Waldo Canyon Fire that has destroyed over 300 homes in Colorado Springs.  Since yesterday, we have been on standby evacuation, which means we can be evacuated at any time - pack your valuables.  Firefighters have been building fire-lines along the Western flank of the fire, protecting Woodland Park.  However this is subject to the winds.  Embers have traveled over half a mile over Rampart Reservoir to start spot fires to the North, so firelines are only a first line of defence.  Strong winds from the East could spell disaster for Woodland Park.

Progress on the house has slowed.  My helpers Ian and Nick have been evacuated with their families.  Many businesses in Woodland Park are closed, including the company where we have been purchasing our fill dirt, so backfilling is not complete yet.  Route 24, the highway between Woodland Park and Colorado Springs has been closed since Sunday.  I was at Home Depot in CS when they closed the road.  The 25 minute drive home turned into a 3 1/2 hour treck up a narrow dirt road called Phantom Canyon.

Many scenes like this, columns of smoke from several fronts.

A burned-out neighborhood.  We have friends there whose house was saved!

Our daughter Heather was evacuated from her home in Colorado Springs.  She's staying with friends on the East side of the city, so she's safe, but shook-up.