Parts of Air Force Academy is under evacuation

[audienceofone]

Just a lurker but news came in that part of the housing on AFA is under mandatory evacuation. I don't know if anyone has any loved ones or friends in the area or on AFA but it is getting worse. The Northwest portion of the city is under evacuation from I24 west to almost I25 and up to now the academy.

Hopefully they can get it under control in the populated areas before it causes any structural damage, if it hasn't caused any already.

[prettyinpink]

That's terrible. Thoughts and prayers to all those near the Colorado wildfires for safety.

[brandienee]

For those who aren't in Colorado Springs:

There is a moderately sized fire near the area. (Waldo Canyon Fire, if you want to look it up) It wouldn't be a huge deal, but it is really close to heavily populated areas, like the AFA and Garden of the Gods, exc. Colorado is also experiencing record heat right now and there are at least 6 other fires in the state. So far, I don't think the they are expected to get a break in the heat... no rain in sight.

They could use your T&P's

[basilosaurus]

I think my friend already evacuated a day or two ago. She's up in Manitou. I just keep stalking fb to keep on top of her whereabouts.

Any word on whether it's expected to go up near woodland park? I guess I could google, but I was being lazy.

[brandienee]

I think it is being pushed toward the Springs. But Woodland Park is on alert too.

[brandienee]

This is the view, with the AFA football stadium in the foreground. It's grown quite a bit.

[basilosaurus]

Damn. I used to work right across the highway from the AFA.

H would be really sad if the fire took out WP. Even though it's not in the family anymore, H's grandma's house is the only place he really considers to be a childhood home. And, it's where we first began to get together, when he invited me to Thanksgiving dinner there

[brandienee]

I hope that WP stays out of the fire... And Manitou. That would be terrible, I love that city.

I grew up in Cripple Creek, so summer fires are somewhat normal... But this is getting scary. I am hearing that Flying W Ranch was burned down, but that's just a rumor right now.

I want to go home. LOL

[brandienee]

This is from KOAA.com...

I am going to be ill. Oh my God.

[iluvmytxrgr]

This just makes me want to cry and I have no attachments to the area. I'll be keeping everyone in that area in my prayers.

[panicked]

I'm in the Springs at Ft Carson. It's surreal here right now. WP is on evac status, I believe. It's taken down homes in Mountain Shade. Yes, the Flying W has burned. It's confirmed.

[audienceofone]

It was blowing west towards Woodland Park. Manitou Springs was evacuated and then let back in. I don't think they have been sent out since. Flying W ranch for those of you that know what that is, is gone. Everything West of I-25 is evacuated now. The smoke is settling in the city and heading south to Fort Carson. Ash is falling all throughout the Springs and out into the towns past here. The tourist spots have been closed. Garden of the Gods was closed a few hours after the fire started.
Everyone East of the Safeway was evacuated in Woodland Park. But the winds shifted and it started going North and West. There are now houses burning which they are showing on the news and it's just devastating. Some of the news crews houses are in the line of fire so you can hear the fear and sadness in their voices. I-25 has been shut down in parts to help with the evacuation of the AFA.
The Army has been put on standby to go fight. The fire crews on Carson are already there. I don't know about the Air Force fire crews. There are lots of firefighters are coming from all around to help.

I'm from the east coast so I've never seen a fire like this. Ever. It's terrifying. The only thing that has been keeping me sane is that I live south of the fire and we have alarms.

[panicked]

Audienceofone- Are you on Carson?

[brandienee]

I've lived through wildfires on much more massive scales (Hayman Fire in 02). But it was nothing close to this, because it is so close to Colorado Springs.

I grew up there, and just to see my past go up in flames, It makes me sick.

[twoslicehilly]

Scary. I will definitely be praying for that area.

[audienceofone]

Panicked-Yes, I am.
I have heard Carson sent out some fire crews. This is just terrifying. It has moved down into the city. Mountain Shadows is burning. I could see it from the front door of our house, but I haven't looked out there in awhile since the smoke got so bad.

Brandienee-One of the newspapers did an article on the Hayman fire about the people that stayed in that area. They keep saying this is worse because it is coming into the city. Though that fire was over 100,000 acres right? And the High Park fire apparently got worse today because of the weather from what we are hearing. Last I heard that one was over 80,000 acres.

[panicked]

I am at Carson too, Audienceofone.

[brandienee]

It was closer to 500,000 acres if I remember correctly, that number pushed it into the largest forest fire in Colorado history. I grew up near there, so it was scary and we were in high evacuation alert the whole time.

But this... because it's so close to the city, I just can't fathom it. It hit the city... so so so sad. I've said this before. But I wish I was home right now.

[audienceofone]

Oh goodness. That fire was massive.

My family and my H's keep calling to stay updated. They are so worried it will come down here. I couldn't imagine being in your place so far from home when this is happening.

I have to say though that people in the area and even down in Pueblo have really come together to help. People opening up their homes for families evacuated. Businesses are giving away things to help. The shelters and animal businesses are taking in animals for free. It has been nice to see a city come together so much.

Panicked-you will have a pm shortly.

[ilovelamp]

Those pictures are horrible. Do fires that huge move fast?

[audienceofone]

This one started moving fast because the wind kicked up to 65mph. It also has a ton of fuel. When the wind wasn't as bad they were getting somewhere with controlling it. Today was super windy even down here and up on the mountains it tends to be worse. The flying embers can also start new fires.
The fire has a life of its own. It can create its own weather also. It has been super dry here this year. They said on the news we should have up to 7 inches of precipitation and we've had 2.5 inches. It seems like once it has found the homes, it is just jumping house to house. The pictures are horrifying.
Apparently AFA has been fully shut down now. They are bringing evacuee's down to Carson to shelter them. I'm sure they are also taking them to the AF bases here too.

[ilovelamp]

How scary. I'm praying for everyone in the area.

I heard from FB it might be arson??

[brandienee]

They are investigating the cause of the fire. So far, it is looking like arson. There were a bunch of suspicious fires in the area for the past few weeks. I hope that they catch the bastard who did this... if someone really started it.

[brandienee]

The news just reported that it's only burned 6200 acres. But it is so close to population, it is scary.

[WOT?*]

I just called DD to give her the heads-up. Her BF's mom and stepdad teach at the Academy and live just a couple miles from Garden of the Gods. She's on her iPad right now texting them to check on how they're doing. BF is deployed so I hope he's not following this; he's got things to worry about beyond his mom and step-dad but that's not how it would work if he knew how bad the fires are out there.

[decemberrain]

One of my really good friends lives out there and she told me the fires are getting worse because it was pretty windy today. I just hope everyone out there stays safe and they get those fires out pretty soon.

[WOT?*]

On the phone with DD. His parents had to evacuate yesterday. The fire was about 1/4 mile from their house. T&P to all out there, whether you are GBCN or not.

[amaristella]

Wildfires always give me the shivers. I'll be thinking of that whole area and hoping that they get some kind of relief sooner rather than later. I also hope that the many firefighters who are no doubt dealing with it are able to be kept safe.

[beans]

Jun 26, 2012 22:58:40 GMT -5 ilovelamp said:

Those pictures are horrible. Do fires that huge move fast?

Considering how dry Colorado has been over the past several years, and considering the wind they absolutely move fast.

I was just home last week (I am from CO for those that didnt know). Between this fire, the one up in Boulder and the one way north by Ft Collins, Colorado is a scary place right now! I am so heartbroken. I think there are about 6 major fires right now.

Like Brandie was saying, fires are pretty common around Colorado, but this is just so devistating. And all the baby cadets are starting tomorrow I think... What a crazy way to start basic. My thoughts and prayers have definitely been with the Springs this week (as well as the other fires). A lot of people I know are displaced right now.


ETA the fire in Boulder is 0% contained. :N: last report said it was only 300 acres which is ... better than it could be. Hopefully they can contain that one from coming into the city.

[audienceofone]

Waldo Canyon is now over 15,000. It more than doubled over night.
THey brought evacuees from AFA down to Fort Carson. I don't know if they are also sending them over to Peterson or Shriever.
32,000 people are evacuated in El Paso county. There was another fire in Elbert county which is north east of us that was 600 acres. I don't know anything more about that. There has been zero news on it since this one has grown. We are getting no news about other fires at all.