Today marks one year since The Waldo Canyon Fire started on June 23, 2012. At the time, I owned a home (that I rented out) in Mountain Shadows, and was concerned, not only for my own home, but for all my neighbors and friends. I can remember watching the images of the fire as it spread and one area after another was evacuated. It was heartbreaking. There were 347 homes lost. As the Waldo Canyon Fire raged, we came together as a community, doing anything and everything we could to help those evacuated, to donate food and drinks for our firefighters and first responders, to gather clothing and household goods for those who had lost everything, to donate funds, and to volunteer time after the fire was finally put out to help clean up. Our hearts were heavy with the loss during what was then considered the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. We witnessed the courage and dedication of those who battled the fires, doing everything in their power to save as many homes and property as they could, and to get it contained. On July 10th, 2012, the fire was declared 100% contained. Since then, there have been 198 new homes permits issued and 75 new homes completed in the area. Later today I will be attending a brunch honoring some of the firefighters who battled the Waldo Canyon Fire last year, where I very much doubt there will be any dry eyes in the room. Tears for what was lost, tears for what was saved, and tears of gratitude for those we consider heroes, (they very humbly say, “we were just doing our job.”
After the evacuation was lifted and homeowners/residents were allowed back in the area, Paul and I were able to see first-hand the destruction left behind. We also experienced the goodness of those who volunteered their time to help with a kind word, a hug, or a simple bottle of water as we surveyed the damage.
For me personally, I believed that would be the worst tragedy I would ever witness in my own city and state. Unfortunately, that was not to be the case.
On June 11th, 2013, the Black Forest Fire erupted and would soon surpass the Waldo Canyon Fire in homes and property destroyed and as of today, now be considered the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. The fire was considered 100% contained on June 20th, with 511 homes completely destroyed and the loss of two lives. And as we saw last year, when there is need, we rally to help in whatever ways we can. Even though the fire is now contained, there will be weeks and months ahead where there will still be much to be done and needs for assistance. I believe we can, as a community, continue to meet those needs.
While we watched the Black Forest Fire, the Royal Gorge Fire was burning and after being 100% contained, burned over 3,000 acres and destroyed many structures. Before firefighters could take a much-needed break though, in what seemed like a horror movie, more wildfires erupted and are currently threatening entire towns. Among the worst fires burning now are the East Peak Fire which has burned over 9,000 acres, and (as of Saturday 6-22-13) is at 0% containment and the West Fork Fire, also at 0% containment, which has burned over 40,000 acres. Wind, heat and low relative humidity is not helping and we remain under high fire danger.
For me personally, it’s very difficult to put into words how I feel. There are times I find myself asking “why?” (I know, weather conditions, pine beetles, nature, man, etc., I mean more of an emotional why.) I am uplifted with the acts of kindness we’ve been seeing on a massive, daily basis, renewing my faith in man-kind. Then I am filled with overwhelming sadness, imagining how those who lost everything must feel, grateful to be alive but having lost everything. Sure it’s material things they lost but they lost all those things they lovingly filled their homes with. I can’t imagine. I think of the children, how scared they must have felt, having to leave their homes, their toys, clothes, everything they have known in their short lives, only to have it destroyed. Of how they FELT.
It’s very disheartening that not even a year after we all went through the horror of the Waldo Canyon Fire, it seems as if our entire state is on fire. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? IT’S NOT. As we rally around those who have suffered loss, let’s also remember to continue to go forward. There were so many hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and businesses that donated and volunteered, not only last year but this year. (Last year I used these places to shop and do business just as a way to try to say thank-you to them too.) A lot of these places are hurting right now due to tourists cancelling plans to come to Colorado. Encourage those from out-of-state to come and visit our beautiful state. Because it’s not just the “businesses” that suffer but the people who work there too, who could lose their paychecks because business is slow.
These fires effect all of us, even if you didn’t lose a home. I know that we have and can continue to be generous in our giving; whether it be donating money, donating household goods and clothing, giving your time, donating food, or whatever needs come up. I know that we have and will continue to show our love and support to those who so willingly face the flames of danger to help complete strangers; whether they be firefighters, military, volunteers. I’ve said it before; it doesn’t matter where you live in the area, with the weather conditions we have, any one of us could be experiencing these evacuations at any time. Even if you live in a developed neighborhood, a tossed out cigarette can create a destructive fire.
When I was originally thinking of writing a piece for today, it was before all the new fires occurred. I thought this was going to be an “uplifting” piece showing how we’ve overcome. And while I do celebrate there has been growth and new homes built, that those who lost have persevered and shown you can and do move forward, while I celebrate the victories that have risen from the Waldo Canyon Fire….it’s difficult to not talk about what we’re going though currently. Again; all those mixed emotions a lot of us are feeling.
As we continue to help our community, let’s remember we should all be prepared, which causes less confusion and be aware of what we can do to better help our own neighborhoods be a bit safer. On Friday we posted ways you can do your own fire mitigations if you didn’t catch it
So yes, we celebrate the victories from the Waldo Canyon Fire, we mourn the losses from the Black Forest Fire, and we continue to keep those going through the current fires in our hearts and prayers.
And on a closing note…our firefighters and first responders may say they are “just doing their job”, but in my heart, you will forever be heroes to me!
Here’s some great images of the gratitude I think we all feel (from KKTV News 11.)