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Subscribe to RSSDENVER -- It's been just a week since the Waldo Canyon fire crested the mountain range next to Colorado Springs and roared toward the state’s second-largest city.
In that time, 32,000 people have been evacuated. Two people have died in the blaze, and 346 homes have burned to their foundations. Firefighters have been battling 24-7, and with the help of shifting winds, have the fire 55 percent contained, according to the National Interagency Coordinating Center.
While the fire threat is currently waning and many evacuees are returning home, the damage, dislocation and trauma from the wildfire remain. On Sunday, people from the Mountain Shadows subdivision were allowed to return briefly to secure homes that remained standing, or view the charred remains of those that burned.
"For us, it’s the beginning of the long haul," said Anne Marie Borrego, a spokesperson for the Red Cross who accompanied residents. "When disaster occurs ... we are there so much longer, long after the television cameras pack up and leave."
In coming days, msnbc.com will be on the ground in Colorado Springs looking at the myriad ways that nonprofit groups and volunteers are stepping up to help and rebuild.
The groups at the core of disaster relief are household names like the Red Cross, Salvation Army and FEMA working alongside the local and state governments. They are mainstay organizations for shelter, food and logistics.
Filling the gaps in manpower, funding and niche needs is an army of individual volunteers, nonprofit groups and churches. They are focused on accommodating disabled evacuees, making sure the elderly are protected from the searing heat, fostering hundreds of displaced cats, dogs and cattle, providing fresh socks to weary firefighters and entertaining children in evacuation centers.
Adrees Latif / Reuters
Residents began returning to charred areas of Colorado Springs, Colo., on Sunday after the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history forced tens of thousands of people from their homes and left the landscape a blackened wasteland.
Although firefighting forces are optimistic, and the weather is cooperating, the threat is not gone. On Monday, there were still 1,518 personnel dedicated to containing the Waldo Canyon fire -- now about 17,800 square acres -- supported by heavy air tankers and helicopters, according to the National Interagency Coordinating Center. The growth potential for the fire is listed as "extreme" by the Incident Information System, which tracks fires.
Already federal firefighting forces are stretched, because there are record-setting fires burning from Montana to New Mexico, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Compounding the fire woes, Colorado Springs police said there have been 22 reported burglaries and attempted burglaries in the evacuated areas, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported. Homes in one evacuated area were invaded by bears, apparently drawn by the smell of rotting food, the report said.
In coming days, look for our posts and video from Colorado Springs covering the creative and inspired ways that people are coping, contributing and rebuilding their community.
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This was mainly a manufactured disaster caused by massive development into known fire zones, lack of preventative fire safe house construction standards, and insufficient laws regarding adequate clearance of trees next to the structures. Colorado needs better zoning laws.
The cause is still unknown and it started and spread in a national forest where there were no structures. No homes were lost in the first subdivision threatened due to a combination of mitigation that has been going on for some time and the firefighters. There was nothing manufactured about it.
So, Greg, you must be incredibly familiar with the Mountain Shadows subdivision? I would hardly call this manufactured. In years such as this, everywhere is a "fire zone," including the eastern plains of Colorado. There are no trees next to structures out east, and there were still destructive fires. Your statement is only moderately ignorant.
No No, SkiCO267, I believe you are incorrect and hereby challenged. Greg_S's statement was "completely ignorant".
So Greg, does that mean that no one should live in about 95% of the US? Can you tell me anyplace where there are no natural disasters? By your ignorant logic, Hawaii (volcanoes), Alaska (volcanoes, fires, landslides and earthquakes), the entire East Coast (Hurricanes, flooding and Nor-easters) and West Coast (earthquakes), the Gulf Coast (hurricanes), and the Midwest (tornadoes and floods) are uninhabitable.
Get a grip on reality and quit judging. The whole mountain west is a fire zone this year because of severe conditions. Natural disasters happen.
C'mon, Greg has some good points. One of the discriminators used when firefighters were choosing which houses to save was whether or not it had a cedar shake roof. Homes in high risk areas need fire resistant roofing. Expensive stucco homes with clay tile roofing systems went up in flames because the fire crept into eave ventilation systems and fire fighters will not crawl into attics with heavy roofing materials.
The neighborhoods that burned are within the city limits of Colorado Springs and are not even (or just barely) into the foothills. By Greg's logic, no one should live in the mountains period - only in treeless Aurora.
Greg S is bring a high-horse moralist by speculation as a replacement for the facts, who most likely has never even visited Colorado, let alone lived in Colorado for 22 years like I have, nor does he work in Colorado Springs like I do.
Disasters happen, there is no way around it. No set of zoning laws or constructions standards is going to prevent all possible disasters - mitigate to a degree - but you cannot call 70% of the state uninhabitable by using draconian standards and cram everyone into Aurora. These neighborhoods were very much suburban in a very otherwise urbanized area.
Even if no development of any kind existed past I-25, these neighborhoods would represent the least possible encroachment into the otherwise natural environment. It is not like they were McManions bordering Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a place that should not have burned as it did, just like Mt. Saint Helens erupted or Japan's Tsumanis. It is real easy to blame the victim of these tragedies after the fact (especially when you are not the victim) with coulda-should-woulda arguments with a conservationist/preservationist far-reaching mandate.
So go tell all of the people of Japan that they never should have started a country there? Or go tell all of the people of San Francisco they they should have never built a city there after the next big earthquake? Or go tell people that they should have never built a house in Kansas (or Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas...) after a tornado wipes them out? So where is the "perfect" place to live where no natural disaster is possible? NOWHERE!
Yes, some places are less prone than others, but these neighborhoods were a far cry from any form of supposed reckless expansion. These were normal neighborhoods, in a normal town, that met all possible reasonable standards that just like Joplin or Japan, have experienced a tragedy. More respect than Greg S is offering is in order.
Greg is quite correct with his comment. Numerous developments throughout the country have been approved without sufficient safeguards and as a result losses to property and life in general are greater than would normally be the case.
Rufus…. you are also correct in saying that “Natural disasters happen.” Yes they do and there are in some cases very little that can done about it. Nevertheless, there is a lot that can be done to minimize losses e.g. by tightening building code laws in fire, flood, hurricane prone areas and by limiting overzealous and often questionable development approvals that benefit few, but leave many hurt and devastated.
Greg's comment:
Care to take a stab then at why no homes were lost in Cedar Heights.
Bassai…..we could argue this point until we are blue in the face without resolution. The fact remains that many homes and lives were lost. Whether this was avoidable or not will be debated for years to come.
I recall that a few years ago in south eastern Australia whole areas were erased by fire and dozens of people lost their lives because of the lack of preventative back-burning (back-burning strongly opposed by green groups) that would minimize the severity and danger considerably. When Greg mentioned “manufactured disaster” I am sure he to some extent was referring to things that could have been done in a “preventative fashion” in particular during the development approval process to reduce the risk.
Greg; While your location is unknown, I can assure you, that until or unless YOU yourself have been in a wildfire and are on the line doing the work, you wouldn't know how it got started or what caused it nor would you care. Item for all: Colorado has suffered as have several western states a progressive state of dead and dying diseased trees that do have some marketable use. On the premise that we have several hundred thousand people who are un-employed lets try this tack: LOG IT....and I do mean log it off. Bunny huggers and tree huggers alike will come to terms with the matter AFTER the fact and the fire danger is mitigated by doing pre-commerical thinning which would drop the fuels to half of what they are now, it would put loggers and sawyers back to work and open up at least 12 or more log mills to make the timber we all so enoy building things with, namely new homes. After the thinning is done and over with then the work of planting the seedlings begins and then you do what you can to make it a viable renewable resource . Chances are not many have given this much thought because due to one environ group or another, they filed useless injunctions without ever having actually SEEN the area they are opposing the timber sale to. I can assure you that if the thinning was done, the fuels would be cut by half( or more) and you'd be doing several things at once. But, as per the past performance of those wonderful environmental groups( bunny huggers) they all make really good photograpghs with their nice color glossy pictures , but you'll never EVER see any one of them out on a oil spill or doing a weekend of tramping up and down hillsides planting seedlings. Cut the fuel to the fire and you've taken one leg of the three out of the fire control issue and then you got something going. Think about it...and yes...green zones do help....but they dont stop 30 mile an hour ( or more ) winds from blowing embers and sparks on a dry structure. Any questions?
I didn't think there would be. Happy Fire season 2012.
It amazes me the stupidity of smart people. Greg had some great ideas but he has no idea what he was saying. The Mountain Shadow area actually just finished up 2 weeks before with the fire department in cleaning up any areas that could be a fire hazard. The trees were cleaned up, dried up weeds and wood was removed and the wood was removed that was close to the house. I live in Colorado Springs and had to watch the FIRE STORM from Hell on Tuesday past. It was the scariest moment in all of our lives. I am just grateful to our wonderful community that stood strong together and our awesome firefighters that risked their lives. It is just sad someone can not be happy that this fire is at an end and we need to come together and rebuild and NOT criticize!!!
Just a typo above..it is the Mountain Shadows subdivision versus Shadow Mountains. It has been a heart breaking few weeks here in Colorado Springs.
You shouldn't have told them, it would have been interesting reading about the MSNBC staff trying to figure out where to go.
Normally I don't try to correct grammar or syntax, but "square" acres? Don't journalists go to school anymore?
http://www.worldarena.com/page.asp?id=38&name=A+Community+Rises%3A+July+4+Wildfire+Relief+Benefit+Concert+at+World+Arena&eventid=5375
All of the tickets are already gone.
My son is on one of the hot-shot crews. He's been amazed by the kindness and support by the people of Colorado. And that's coming from someone from Vermont where it's standard procedure.
vermonster28, please thank your son for us for his help, we really appreciate it!!
Firefighter are an example of an American hero. Not a pundit full of hot air who wants to slant everything into a political spin to play their agenda record. Not a blamer, or hater, or moralist.
We are nation that needs heros, not bs. We are nation that needs solutions, not blame and games. To fight a fire, you use water, slurry, people and coordination - not finger pointing and politicizing.
I could not physically do what your son on the hot shot crew does. Other people have found great value in the other volunteer work that I do, but putting out fires is beyond my capacities. We need more firefighters and more people doing tangible, productive work than sitting on high horses.
A depressing related story is that most of the firefighters who follow fires all over the country are considered part time, even though they work 70 to 80 hour weeks for half of the year thus racking up full time hours for the full year. They are therefore denied health insurance. This seems inconceivable given the incredible danger (and value!!) of their work, both short and long term. I was going to write that giving these so-called seasonal workers and their families health insurance would be the best way to "thank" them, but really, it should be a right!
That's just another example of why we need to get insurance coverage for more people in this country. Regular firemen have insurance, policemen have insurance, but these heroes aren't insured? And our military/veteran health care system is unexcusable. No wonder other countries think we are pathetic. We are.
Also, many firefighters are not covered by unemployment insurance. They are exempt through a "disaster" clause.
Bob in KC, I had the exact same thought. I also wondered why they didn't report the number of cubic gallons of water used?
Of course it's manufactured. Everyone knows that. Cheap construction, in many places atop shifting soil. People build ugly ranch-style or "Tuscan"-style houses as far as the eye can see. Poor use of land. Poor planning. And on top of that, everyone out there is white, old, right-wing. There's no culture and nothing good to eat, unless you like chain restaurant food. If you do, there's an overabundance of that.
F U boxx-6296217. That is by far the the most ignrant post I've ever read
Oh Boxx-6296217...grow up. No body is even going to respond to your BS. Since your obviously fishing for some response. Back in your hole snake. So sorry mamma took you off the teat so young and created such a mean streak in you.
Boxx-6296217 if your comments are driven by your distaste for the right-wing, while I might also share with you by finding distaste for right-wing extremists - despite the reputation, Colorado Springs is more diverse, and people of all political positions and ideologies lost their homes. I think you are framing your arguments around speculation, not facts, and your agenda is about a revenge against the far right.
While I might share the same disdain for the far right, and while they are a powerful force in Colorado Springs, they do not make up everyone, and even so, no one deserves to lose their home. You are framing your arguments to fit your own prejudice, that are without merit and facts from the perspective of land management and planning.
Interesting comments. I've seen people say in previous days that CS is full of right wingers and evangelicals and deserved to burn. I can only assume that these comments were made by the left so where's the compassion lefties? This is a disaster and all you want to do is vent your political hatred. I'm willing to bet nobody, left or right, is complaining that they're getting help from the churches mentioned in this article. To all the people in CS I wish the best and hope the fire is extinguished ASAP.
Does this state advocate AGAINST Gov’t Handouts? Are they NOW requesting an, OMG, HANDOUT in the form of FEDERAL ASSISTANCE or are they rebuilding on their own merits? Let’s see I’d place my bet on BEGGING for a HANDOUT!
They only want what they deserve. Why do you care what they get? You should feel lucky that you don't have to go through anything like this. How childish to worry about who gets what......
People need to think about where they build and making these subdivisions safe..
Its got to be the worst thing to lose your home but I also wouldnt stand for dry timber around me..
Lustiania, name one city in all of this country, that is safe! Every city, town and community can face a threat from Mother Nature.
People probably dont want to hear this, but as sad as all this disaster is, 2 people have lost their lives, which is terrible, but as disasters go, at least most of these people still have their lives. Be thankful for the important things. Property can be replaced. I survived a flash flood years ago that killed 238 people. That is a disaster. Hug your kids. Rebuild.
All of the tickets are already gone.
I feel sorry for the owner of that Corvette. Nothin' left but the metal and ashes.
This is so CRAZY and Sad. That is a picture of what is left of my parents house of 22 years. I live in Denver now but looking at that picture and seeing the damage on a street that I know so well is just an amazing site.
I used to spend hours at the basketball goal in the middle of the picture on this page. My dad hated that thing and wanted to remove it since all of us kids moved out and now it is the only thing left standing. The irony.
My thoughts and prayers go out to eveyone else who lost their home and having spent so much time with my parents in the last five days I understand the pain and sorrow of losing something people have called home for so long.
Please Donate to Susan Solich and her family and the Victims of the Wildfire. All proceeds will go to Colorado Victims and their families.... A new Fund has been set up!!!
Donate to Susan Solich and her family and the Victims of the Wildfire. All proceeds will go to Colorado Victims and their families.... A new Fund has been set up
/www.indiegogo.com/susansolich?a=800961
Pleasee Donate to Susan Solich and her family and the Victims of the Wildfire. All proceeds will go to Colorado Victims and their families.... A Fund has been established
www.indiegogo.com/susansolich?a=800961
I would think they'd have been attracted by the smell of cooked food with all those flames!
Green Mountain Falls not Colorado Springs, none of the homes there were burned but they did lose power. Even without the fire not seeing a few bears there over the summer would be unusual.
Are these fires contributing to the crazy weather back east?
Boxx...Su_k it! My very good friend lost her house in that fire! Could identify her grand daughters bike, a pc, some things.
Greg_S words do not discribe how ignorant you are! Do you think everyone lives on a houseboat or in a city dwelling?
The article mentioned bears looking for food. Don't forget that there is a lot more wildlife habitat burnt than human habitat. The area should expect a lot of displaced wildlife looking for food and shelter.
Greg's comments which have generated a lot of controversy are pretty much correct, if a little bit harsh. The photos I have seen of the subdivision suggest a lot of it is built on the ridge top. Thats kind of a invitation for fire damage from a wildfire which intensifies as it goes up slope. There are a lot of issues with fire protection here... Did Colorado Springs allow subdivisions like these to be built without having adequate fire protection/prevention from the city considering the terrain, vegetaion, and climate? Was there an understanding between the City and the developers that the subdivision would BURN in a significant wildfire, and that knowledge lost to the homeowners when they bought their houses? Normally fire departments are locally funded, how much non-local (state & federal) money is being spent to fight this fire to protect homes that arguably should not have been built?
There is a lot of push back to onerus government regulation right now, but also a lot of demand for government to pull postiers from the fire when what would be strict and effective prevention measures are not implemented. This is and example of the "get rich quick" developer types avoiding the "pay me now" and letting the rest of us "pay me latter".
Btw, I have been a volunteer firefighter for 35 years, and also own my own manufacturing business so I see both sides of the fence when talking about government regulation.
http://www.springsgov.com/units/fire/CWPP_COS_2011a.pdf
Page 26 you will see before and after pictures of the mitigation efforts in Cedar Heights.
Also: http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/Defensable_Space_Helps_Save_Home_161039655.html
The city has put a lot of effort into mitigation, prudent people such as the ones above also took matters into their own hands. Things have also changed over the years when it comes to construction and materials used. Many of those homes have been there for 20 + years and codes, materials available, etc have changed.
There were 346 homes that were burned but that area has over 14,000 homes it would have been a lot worse if the construction was as shoddy and the vegetation as uncontrolled as some are claiming.
It is good that you are a volunteer firefighter. But the city of Colorado Springs is not a volunteer force. It is a full time, at least 24 stations, downtown training center. I have seen both sides of firefighters also. I have seen the volunteer systems where one drives the truck to the fire and then wait for the volunteers to show up. That is wasted time. This is not how Colorado Springs works. I moved there in 1985, have been out of the area for 10 years but have kids that still live there. I know the city.
The terrain of Mountain Shadows is not on a ridge. It is actually in a bowl of a valley next to Centennial Blvd. A good friend of mine lost his house in that area on Majestic Road.
What a lot of people do not understand, and i have lived on both the west coast and east coast, is that it can get windy on the Front Range (Denver down to Pueblo). Easterners think that when it is blowing 45 miles an hour, they are in a real storm. It blows with regularity out in CO. There are many times when they will ask the big rigs to park it off the interstate because it is blowing too much. Do you ever really hear about that on the east coast? Too much is 65 mph and up. And it blows that way out there all the time. At the Air Force Academy, they have clocked the wind up to 103 mph. Now add in heat and a roaring fire and tell me that it is poor planning on building these homes.
If you have 75 mph winds and 95 degree heat plus a fire mixed in there, you could have cleaned brush for 50 yards away from your house and it still would have gone up in a flash. Why did you think that some of the houses next door to ones burned to the ground didn't burn? because the wind was such a factor that it just blew past some homes and not others.
Maybe everyone should look at how many of the regular army of planes used for fighting wild fires are actually in use, and how many the obamy administration grounded and refused to let fly! Yea that's right he grounded forty planes so that only 17 are allowed to fly nationwide! Obama politics at it's finest!
Please take a second and read the poem I wrote about these fires:
The worst fire in Colorado history, makes for a gloomy outlook on their home situation. Insurance companies should be there to ease the frustration. I feel bad for anything that burned with any kind of historical significance. Sure the houses are nice but a community's value is placed on landmarks. All the trees and forested areas are chared and will remain black for along time.
The sad reality is that many forest fires are intentionally set by firefighters either for the very lucrative overtime (see 60 minutes piece about some guys working for a few weeks out of the year) or for the thrill. Forest fires can be spotted via satellite in their infancy and readily extinguished. The forest service has repeatedly turned down outside help in order to prolong the fires(see forest service turns down FREE help from huge Russian fire plane). See how states fight over the fire funds during a fire, its almost comical what a scam forest fires are.
Sign a petition for the "responsible" insurance industry to provide crucial information and policyholder rights missing from public view (yes, they do exist) to all policyholders as a matter of course. Disaster survivors lack these basic rights and vital information in their time of need, when they are most vulnerable. They can be any one of us, that's our lot—or not...your choice. disasterprepared.net