Fire Day 8

Listened to the news update this morning.  The fire is now 30% contained.  No growth in it yesterday. Today is to be a "test" day to see if the lines that were put in place the last couple of days will hold.  The weather is to be drier and hotter.  We are praying that we pass the test with 100%. 

Jan is to get a bed today at the rental in Glen Eagle.  She is so blessed to have this place as rental space is limited due to all the folks who lost their homes.  She is holding up well.  She has moments when things "hit" her and she cries, but I am glad to see that she is not keeping it all wrapped up inside. She and Stephen are to sleep in their new place tomorrow night.

Caroline is to go back to the AFA today.  Evacuations are being lifted here and there.  It is down to 10,000 people displaced.  This has been the strangest thing. I feel stronger, wiser and so appreciate all that God has given us.  When I am at the grocery store, folks chat more, smile more, are more helpful. It has brought us all together as a community and I still absolutely love this place.  Colorado is my home and just like Jan, we will rebuild and be stronger for it.

Black lines show containment at of Friday Morning.

Bambi?

Containment as of this morning. Still lots of red.

This fireman feeds this little guy every morning.

They sleep on the ground so they don't lose control of the fire.

President Obama comes to visit Colorado Springs.

This was a shot of the back of our car, taken by Stephen, as Tom went to help Jan evacuate.

Waldo Canyon Fire Day 7

Jan went to the meeting last night for people who have lost everything.  She was disappointed in how the city officials handled things.  She was basically handed a piece of paper, free pizza and a box of groceries.  She was given information about how to get started filing claims, rebuilding, etc..

President Obama comes today to "see".  I don't get some of that as his presence may take away some of the focus on the fire.  We are promised that none of the air defense will be altered by his visit. 

We learned this morning that 10 people are missing and one body has been found in the rubble of a house.  My thoughts naturally go to that person.  How terrified they must have been.  Why didn't they leave?  So sad. 

Tom and I took Jan's dogs for a walk last night.  We went to the same place we went on Tuesday night.  It was smoky, but quiet.  It's a great spot for seeing the whole front range.  We didn't know it was there until Tuesday.  I suppose that's a positive.  We watched the spot fires flicker on the side of the mountains and we saw how the line of firefighters made a big snake along the side of the whole front range (that's one snake I absolutely love and am alright with).  Of course Tom and I talked about our thoughts on our safety.  At this point we feel pretty safe, but it ain't over till it's over.  The area that would affect us is the one area that they still have no containment on.

I am tired.  I am tired of entertaining a home full of animals and people, but I have a home to entertain in. I am blessed and I am loved. 

God bless them.

Before and After. Mountain Shadows neighborhood.

Amen.

Our neighborhood view yesterday.

The dark lines mean containment. This is as of this morning 6/29/12. May there be more tomorrow.

So thankful.

This floated into someone's back yard.

No growth yesterday.  Praise God.

As it enters Jan's neighborhood.  This was taken from her upstairs window.

Jan with Jerri Marr, Forestry Director for the Pikes Peak Region.

Protect them.

Rest

Purple Mountain's majesty.

Thank you.

Tom updated this yesterday.  We are close, but safe so far.

These precious people lost their homes.  346 homes, 16,500 acres, 1 life so far, lost.  10 people missing.

Please keep the prayers coming.

Fire Day 6

Just a note before I get into the fire "stuff".  I have lost about 10 pounds.  So glad and so proud of myself.

Now on to the fire.  It is slowly creeping up the Rampart Range.  It feels like a big ole' snake.  If you know me, you know how I literally have a phobia of snakes.  The devastation is incredible.  It feels like we are in a Doom's Day movie.  It feels like this will never end.  Our beautiful "Purple Mountain's Majesty" has been destroyed for a long time.  As I write this, the fire is 5% contained with 18,500 acres burned.  Over 30,000 people evacuated.  Spot fires are popping up on the Academy. We fear those embers that cause the "pop up" fires as we fear they might float across I25.  We learned last night, via an aerial photo, that Jan's home is gone.  It feels surreal to think that her things and Baba's things are gone.  All of Baba's recipes gone.  Jan's beautiful Shiflera plant (6 ft tall) gone.  All of her furniture (antiques, keyboard, dining room set, crystal), all gone.  It's funny how the loss of these "things" make me sad.  It's not really the objects that I mourn, but rather the memories they represent.  I have thought about how an arsonist is probably to blame for this. My anger at that is beyond emotion.  No matter how that person is punished, it won't bring back Jan's house or the other over 300 homes and all the memories they contained. 

I have to hang on to good things. Yesterday, Jan went to the bank through Glen Eagle.  She saw a "for rent" sign at a town home.  She called the number and the woman agreed to let her look at the place last night.  Jan loved it, but there is some concern about how big the dogs are.  The lady called her back today, told her she could rent the place and said that the community is pitching in to furnish it for her.  It brought me to my knees.  You are good dear Lord.  You are to be praised. You are showing us your goodness in the midst of tragedy.

Aerial view of Mountain Shadows

Bless Them

Mountain Shadows

Tuesday evening/Wednesday

Aerial View of Jan's neighborhood.  Jan's house gone.

Folks evacuating Mountain Shadows

Tuesday

Thanks

Aerial view of Flying W.

God is still with us.  This was found in someone's backyard.

Picture as it rips up Courtney Dr.

Our Purple Mountain's majesty.

Right before it ripped through Jan's neighborhood.

Engulfing Moutain Shadows

These are pictures from yesterday and so far today.

May God continue to protect us.

Fire Day 5

This morning I was awakened to the strong smell of smoke.  It has invaded everything.  I am at a loss for words today, yet a ball of emotions.  Jan lost her house.  The fire came roaring right down her street, burning everything in it's path.  Flying W. is no more.  Our old home near Ute Valley is most likely gone.   Over 6200 acres gone with 32,000 people evacuated.  It feels like we are in a dooms day movie.  We are praying that we will not have to evacuate.  So much devastation, I cannot even begin to write it all down.  Jan is here, along with the dogs.  Everything she owns in this world is in my garage.  I am honored that she is with us.  It's funny how things get put in perspective when something like this happens.  We have each other. My children and my husband are healthy and we are safe.  Jan is safe and healthy.  We are blessed.  When I read my devotion this morning, it said to praise God in all things because he is above ALL things.  Lord, we praise you.