Q: What’s bigger than 15 helicopters, 3 Blackhawks, 11 Bulldozers and 135 fire engines – plus 1879 firefighters and cost more than 25 million dollars?

 

A:  The High Park Fire

 

As you probably know, the High Park Fire has been burning for 16 days in Larimer County and has left a 75,537 81,190 acre swath of destruction in its path.

 

It’s devastating and heartbreaking. 

 

I’ve started to write several blog posts about the fire, but there was nothing additional that I could add that wasn’t already on every news cast and emergency email update. I just couldn’t seem to piece together my thoughts, fears, hopes and frustrations or adequately describe the sounds and activity surrounding the fire.

 

Our subdivision, Glacier View Meadows was partially evacuated since last week and the rest of us along with Green Mountain Meadows and several others were placed on pre-Evac status.

 

But, the call to leave finally came last Friday around 3:15 p.m. 

 

What a strange feeling to pack up the car and the dog and drive away, not knowing when we can go home again.  Too many are finding out what it feels like to be an evacuee, almost each day more people have had to leave their homes.  What do you pack?  Where do you go?  What do you do?  It seems surreal in so many ways.

 

The things I packed were simple:  Some clothing, toiletries, dog food, all of our photo albums and DVDs with pictures that cannot be replaced, my computer and a few of my husband’s favorite guitars.  He was in Fort Collins and could not get back home to collect anything else- the road was already closed.

 

We’re safe at our daughter’s house.  Who knows how long we will be here?  In one of my previous drafts, I said “I can’t imagine what it would feel like to not be able to go home” but now I know.  Thank goodness we have family nearby, a source of refuge and comfort.  Not everyone is lucky enough to have family so close.

 

This past two weeks, my thoughts and prayers have been with those affected by the High Park Fire; our friends and neighbors to the South-  but the winds carried it North on Friday and it remains a mighty force…. Still bigger than 15 helicopters, 3 Blackhawks, 11 bulldozers and 135 fire engines, 1879 firefighters, plus 5 heavy air tankers and fixed wing support aircraft.

 

It lets us know how fragile and powerless we sometimes are against the forces of Mother Nature.  It provides a stopping point in time to count our blessings and prioritize the few things (which are not really things at all)  that truly matter. 

Website: www.marydouglas-redfeatherlakes.net

 Dear Readers, who are not members of Active Rain. If this post does not accept outside comments, it is only to avoid unwanted spam -

Please feel free to email me any time, I appreciate hearing from you!

Would you like to know more about the Livermore/Red Feather Lakes area?  Want more exposure for your home or property?  More exposure for your business or event? Let me know, I'm always looking for blog topics and I love to showcase my listings on Active Rain!

Browse through all the Colorado listings or focus in on some wonderful mountain properties in Livermore or Red Feather Lakes!  

I'd appreciate the opportunity to work with you - Don't forget to ask for Mary!

                                

 Donate to the American Red Cross to help those recently affected by Colorado wildfires.

    

 
This post has been included in Colorado Real Estate News Larimer County, CO Real Estate News Livermore, CO Real Estate News Glacier View Meadows (Livermore, CO) Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Photos
Post is included in group: ActiveRainPhotoBlogger
Post is included in group: Colorful Colorado
Post is included in group: ActiveRain Nature Station
Post is included in group: Addicted to Active Rain

38 Comments on The High Park Fire- Larimer County Colorado

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUN
25
983,588 Points 106 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

As a former victim of disaster, I can certainly relate. I packed similar items but today I would just take my cellphone charger and my cats. Everything else doesn't matter as it's all backed up. I've been thinking about you and meeting up next month. I hope the fires die down without much damage, and I certainly hope you stay out of danger, Mary!!!

I know how you feel, small and humble in the hands of mother nature. You'll be in my thoughts.
6:56am • #19
Outside Blog

Mary,  we all watch, but can't imagine the enormous effect this will have on some many lives and knowing that learning to do life differently will be difficult.  Our prayers are with you and your community.

Linda
7:01am • #20
954,770 Points 52 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mary, as soon as I heard Red Feathers area and Livermore I was concerned you may be affected by this horrific fire.     My thoughts are with you and all the displaced families due to these fires all over Colorado right now.     Pray for rain!
7:10am • #21
471,130 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hugs back to you Ann - they try to evacuate well in advance of the fire which is a good thing, thank you for coming by!

 

Hi Dena, I don't remember having so many this early in the year- ever.  Maybe I just have a poor memory!  I do remember rains in June, which we have been sorely lacking until last night.  Good luck to you down there, my Southern Colorado friend!

 

Thanks Jennifer,  it's hard to imagine our beautiful land scorched and changed forever. I know it will come back, though.

 

William, that is so true, we are a family of friends- which is quite amazing!  Thank you for your prayers William and thank you for the suggest, too :-]

 

Hi Cheryl, Good luck to you down there, wildfire is an amazing/awesom/awful and absolutely terrifying sight to see- you described it perfectly.  Cheryl, I don't know why but I never got into facebook- I should probably just kill that site!  So nice to hear from you, take care and remain safe.

 

Bruce, you are not a terrible friend!  I have no idea if Indiana is on fire (although doubtful).  Our daughter doesn't have "normal" TV either, so all of my world news is limited to the internet for now.  Thanks for your prayers- it rained last night!

 
7:53am • #22
165,161 Points Localism Sponsor

Mary--Thinking of you and your family and sending good thoughts your way.  I've been close to evacuation areas in the past, but haven't had to leave.  It does put things in perspective as you look over your belongings and decide "what's really important in life!"  Glad you have family close.
7:55am • #23
471,130 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Thank you Kim, aside from the material losses and inconvenience on the human side, it's heartbreaking to think about how our beautiful land will change. :-[

 

Hi Myrl, you are doing better than I, I know there are fires in California, too- but not certain where they are located. Your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated, thank you!

 

Richard, it was an odd realization that most of that "stuff" doesn't really amount to much when it's time to leave. I'm praying too and thank you for adding us to your prayer list.

 

Hi Roy, thank you for your beautiful lily photo- I hope our house will be OK, too!

 

Elizabeth, you know,  I forgot my cellphone charger- but there's one in the car.  I also forgot the camera battery charger, but "oh well".  I'm looking forward to our meet up next month- keep me posted on the date, etc. Thanks for postive thoughts sent our way.

 

Hi Linda, it IS hard to imagine the broad effect for so many... the people, the critters that have lost their habitat, the watershed...it's all very overwhelming.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and thanks for being an associate!

 

Hi Joan, thank you so much- we are all praying for rain!  We did get a good rain last night and I'm hoping that it was far enough west to help the firefighters.  Let it Rain, Joan...let it rain!

 

Thanks Tamara, I am so thankful for having family nearby and just feel terrible for those who are at the shelter or in hotels/motels that they can't afford to stay in forever, my heart goes out to them.

 
8:46am • #24
1,327,212 Points 188 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Nature is just nature Mary, and how insecure a feeling to leave home. At LEAST you have your lives and hopefully with containment over time, many people will be able to get back to normal. When? No one knows... ((((hugs)))) for you and everyone...
10:29am • #25
106,811 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Can't even imagine what you are going through.  Here in the Northwest we are still dripping and growing moss and ferns.

Sending you good positive thoughts that everything will work out for the good.
11:17am • #26
654,708 Points 56 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Mary...that is so awful. Thank God for the fire fighters that stand up against the fires on the front lines!
11:53am • #27
292,116 Points 66 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Mary,  I feel for you. I lived in fire country for many years. In this part of the state of Washington wildfires are almost a yearly occurance. I have been through several fires in my area non that we had to evacuate but got notices that it may happen of the fire changed.

In the town of Entiat we have a local Hotshot group that responds to fires here and all over the nation. There are just coming back for some R&R from fighting the wildfires down in NewMexico which I think is the largest on record for NM.
1:29pm • #28
1,022,995 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I hope you get back into your home soon and all is well.  I worry a lot about the homeowners.  Mother Nature is amazing about her own recovery. 
6:08pm • #29
374,813 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Be safe Mary!!! I hope you will be able to go back to your home real soon. The fires are so devastating, I just hope that they will soon be under control!

You will be in our thoughts and prayers. 
9:06pm • #30
584,671 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Here in N. Idaho we whine about too much rain this year - until we stop and think about what other folks are going through.  My garden may not grow this year, but at least it hasn't been burned over.

My heart goes out to all of you - especially those who have lost their homes.

9:48pm • #31
518,266 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Oh Mary - I'm so sorry you are going through this. I am glad you have family nearby and I sincerely hope your home will be fine.
10:14pm • #32
JUN
26
471,130 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hi Gary,  Thank you for the ((hugs))- you know there are so many who need them!  I feel terrible for my neighbors and friends who have lost their homes - I'll be sure to pass your hugs along to them.

 

Hi Susan, send some of those drips our way, please!  'Appreciate the the good positive thoughts coming our way, thanks Susan.

 

Jeffrey, I agree.  Without the efforts of the firefighters it would be even more horrific.  The news reports how many homes were lost---but not how many that have been saved.  They're working hard every day- in 24 hour shifts!  Thanks for stopping in Jeffrey.

 

Donald, I hope any Washington fires stay away from your area-  I was amazed by the number of firefighters and distances that they travel to fight the fires- I really had no idea before this- what an incredible group of people. Thanks Donald, I'm glad you stopped in.

 

Hi Gene, I worry about the homeowners too, some of them have been out of their homes for more than 2 weeks...now some don't have homes.  It's heartbreaking - and for those of us who love this land, we will be there to witness the re-growth  and recovery- I hope.  Thank you Gene, I appreciate your thoughts on it.

 

Thank you Terrie!  I hope this one will be under control soon, too!  It's frustrating not knowing what they are up against and it grows daily.  Plus we have 3 or 4 other fires in other parts of the State that need help also.

 

Thank you Marte, me too!  When I even begin to whine and I think about those who have lost their homes- I realize I don't have very much to complain about!

 

Hi Stacey-Ann, me too!  Families scatter all over the country ( and in your case even further) it is a blessing to have family nearby.  Thank you Stacey-Ann it's nice to see you today!
7:46am • #33
576,212 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

And still, now.  Hard to believe, 9 other fires going too. Knowing what it feels like to be an evacuee isn't something anyone has on their 'bucket list'.  I pray your home wil be safe.
11:58am • #34
496,240 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Mary, I can empathize with you.  Ocala, Florida has had smoldering brush first for the last several months.  Thankfully TS Debbie is taking care of that for us!
1:28pm • #35
JUN
27
250,832 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Mary,

Sharon just referred me to your post.  I'm really sorry that the High Park fire is still raging and that you have had to learn what it is like to be an evacuee.  As I watch numerous friends and acquaintances evacuate their homes, it does seem surreal.    I pray that your home will be one spared. 

I hope the newest round of thunderstorms does not create any new fires. 

If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call or email. 

 

 

 
2:27pm • #36
JUN
30
492,313 Points 10 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good Evening Mary:

Excellent post.  It gives us from outside a better perspective  Thank you for sharing

12:04am • #37
JUL
01
471,130 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hi Joetta, sorry to get back to this post so late - yes, being an evacuee is really not something on the bucket list!  and so many people have had to find out this year. Our home is safe, thank you Joetta- and we're very grateful.

 

Hi Bob, I wish TS Debbie would have come and dumped some rain on us!  Take Care and thank you for stopping in on this post, Bob.

 

Hi Sondra, thank you so much for checking in and now with the Waldo Canyon Fire, I imagine you know even more evacuees... it's so sad.  I pray that your friends and their horses will all be safe down Colorado Springs way.

 

Thank you again Lloyd.  I appreciate you stopping in on both posts about the fire!
6:52am • #38

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

Login or register to leave a comment
 
Douglas%20%20mary%202012 Rainmaker_large

Mary Douglas, REALTOR ®, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Red Feather Lakes, CO

More about me…

United Country Ponderosa Realty

Address: P.O. Box 184, 23340 Red Feather Lakes Rd., Red Feather Lakes, CO, 80545

Office Phone: (970) 881-2195

Cell Phone: (970) 231-5756

Email Me



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog