Among several Colorado wildfires now burning, the Black Forest fire has become the most destructive in the history of the state. It remains only 5 percent contained.
As flames continue to rage across 15,700 acres north of Colorado Springs, Colo., the Black Forest Wildfire is now the most destructive wildfire in state history, and residents in the region are struggling to cope with the scale of the tragedy.
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The bodies of two local residents were found dead in their garage according to the El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa. The victims were found near their car, doors open as they tried to escape. More than 39,000 residents were forced to evacuate during the past few days.
Janna Szalay, a long-time resident of nearby Monument, Colo., spent the past few days torn between watching the smoke, the steady stream of evacuating residents, and comforting her daughter and friends who already lost their homes.
"It's so scary, and sad," Ms. Szaley said. "It's been so dry it's ridiculous, but the main problem is the wind and heat."
Szaley said the flames are moving so quickly through the drought-stricken area that many land owners are taking desperate measures to save their animals. "We know people who had to let their horses run free to get them out in time."
Firefighters are just coming in for the night and the news they bring with them is not expected to be positive. Early this morning, residents learned that the number of homes lost had tripled from the night before. In natural disasters like this one, it is the lack of knowledge that creates the most tension as families desperately wait for news about their homes and property. At last count, 360 homes were lost to the flames and 13,000 additional properties are threatened, and as darkness falls, the fire is only 5 percent contained.
The Black Forest wildfire is one of three major wildfires raging in the Colorado forests and nine burning in New Mexico, all near the border between the two states.
The situation in the Royal Gorge fire area in Colorado is improving, says Mike Smith, a information officer working the Royal Gorge fire. The Royal Gorge fire was 20 percent contained at last report after burning through 3,100 acres. The historic Royal Gorge Bridge is now believed to be safe, although 32 planks were reportedly damaged, though a final inspection is still needed from engineers. Most of the tourist facility buildings surrounding the bridge were lost in the fire.
Mr. Smith says confidence is high with the fire crews who are comfortable with how this fire is behaving.
As flames continue to rage across 15,700 acres north of Colorado Springs, Colo., the Black Forest Wildfire is now the most destructive wildfire in state history, and residents in the region are struggling to cope with the scale of the tragedy.
Skip to next paragraphSubscribe Today to the Monitor
Click Here for your FREE 30 DAYS of
The Christian Science Monitor
Weekly Digital Edition
The bodies of two local residents were found dead in their garage according to the El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa. The victims were found near their car, doors open as they tried to escape. More than 39,000 residents were forced to evacuate during the past few days.
Janna Szalay, a long-time resident of nearby Monument, Colo., spent the past few days torn between watching the smoke, the steady stream of evacuating residents, and comforting her daughter and friends who already lost their homes.
"It's so scary, and sad," Ms. Szaley said. "It's been so dry it's ridiculous, but the main problem is the wind and heat."
Szaley said the flames are moving so quickly through the drought-stricken area that many land owners are taking desperate measures to save their animals. "We know people who had to let their horses run free to get them out in time."
Firefighters are just coming in for the night and the news they bring with them is not expected to be positive. Early this morning, residents learned that the number of homes lost had tripled from the night before. In natural disasters like this one, it is the lack of knowledge that creates the most tension as families desperately wait for news about their homes and property. At last count, 360 homes were lost to the flames and 13,000 additional properties are threatened, and as darkness falls, the fire is only 5 percent contained.
The Black Forest wildfire is one of three major wildfires raging in the Colorado forests and nine burning in New Mexico, all near the border between the two states.
The situation in the Royal Gorge fire area in Colorado is improving, says Mike Smith, a information officer working the Royal Gorge fire. The Royal Gorge fire was 20 percent contained at last report after burning through 3,100 acres. The historic Royal Gorge Bridge is now believed to be safe, although 32 planks were reportedly damaged, though a final inspection is still needed from engineers. Most of the tourist facility buildings surrounding the bridge were lost in the fire.
Mr. Smith says confidence is high with the fire crews who are comfortable with how this fire is behaving.