Pam and I have received several calls and e-mails regarding the Pine Ridge Fire burning very close to our current residence in DeBeque. Our status: we have not been evacuated nor does it look like we will need to evacuate. (You can check for updates at www.inciweb.org. Look for the Pine Ridge Fire link.)
In this case the fire was caused by lightning. The fire moved quickly, fueled by dry vegetation, low humidity (single digits) and moderate to strong winds.
Last night there was a community meeting to discuss the fire, including evacuation preparations. A small residential area was evacuated in case the fire jumped I-70, but that section is about 2 miles from our house. It is this evacuation notice that seems to be causing great consternation with our friends!
A back fire was begun last night and was sucessfully completed this morning. This created a safety zone between the town and the main fire. There are 2 major concerns: flying embers causing house fires and power outages as the town’s power lines run though the fire area and may be damaged or destroyed.
The first concern, structure fires, has been addressed with extra fire trucks and crews stationed in DeBeque. These crews and trucks are on the move around town and seem to be in plentiful supply.
The second concern, loss of power, has not happened yet but is still a real possiblity. Since the wires could actually burn up, replacing them would be a multi-day project. In the interim, no power for refrigeration, air conditioning, or town pumps. We have a small generator that is large enough to power the refrigerator (we have no freezer) and a fan or two and a couple lights. We could get by. The town has back-up generators for the water plant so we assume water would still be available.
Today was the make-or-break day. With the sucessful back fire and additional trucks and crews in place it is unlikely we will have to evacuate, but that is still a possibility. There is smoke and ash in the air, and I-70 has been closed periodically. Helicopters are grabbing water from the Colorado River along I-70 and officials don’t want them bumping into road traffic. The volume of smoke and ash has been decreasing as the day goes on, a good sign the worst is over.
Here are a few photos of the smoke plume as taken from the I-70 and DeBeque interchange and from our back yard: (DeBeque is about a mile to the right of this interchange.)
Wednesday evening from I-70 interchange
Wednesday’s smoke plume from our back deck
Thursday’s smoke from our back deck
Thursday’s plume of smoke from I-70
Plume of smoke in the sky
We are still watching this closely, but wanted to let everyone know we are OK, have not been evacuated, and by the look of things right now, won’t have to evacuate.
Several local friends have offered their facilities for us to use should the need arise, and we greatly appreciate these generous offers! Should anything else develop we will be in contact with our children Felicity and Toby and will try to add a quick post to this blog.
Thanks to all for the calls and concern. They are greatly appreciated by both of us.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Watching the smoke plume approach over the past few days must have been very unsettling, especially realizing there was little you personally could do beyond being prepared to evacuate. From all indications, it looks like the worst is over and, although that can rapidly change, last night’s backfire and today’s enlargement should give you some measure of protection.
A “repeat from Arizona” is not what you moved to Colorado for, and smoke plumes from your deck is not hoped for scenery. Difficult to imagine that it’s still early in the fire season, and the hot, dry weather continues. At least the Pine Ridge fire gives you some measure of protection for the rest of the summer – not much regrowth without rain.
Could be much, much worse, as Fort Collins and Colorado Springs fires have shown.
I assume your weekends will include something other than Recreational Land hunts, for awhile?