Wilderness + hot weather + lightening = wildfire

Our local fire season has begun with a huge and growing fire about 10 miles east of our house. I returned from a trip, stepped outside the airport and inhaled smoke. Apparently it began as a result of a fierce thunderstorm and grew from about 300 acres yesterday morning to over 1,100 this morning. Nearly 100 homes have been evacuated and the entire area smells like campfire.

I remember living in Denver and hearing about the Burning Mountain fire and having the ash rain down from the Hayman fire. I thought that was scary but was comforted by my concrete and buildings. Now, it is a completely different experience. For about 3 months, the threat of a wildfire hangs over the community. Lightening, a cigarette, an overheated piece of lawn equipment can all ignite a fire that has the potential to burn thousands and thousands of acres.

Last summer, a fire began on the ridgeline directly across from our house. Initially, I wasn't worried because we had the Colorado River and I70 separating our home from the fire. I also felt that 'someone' would just take care of it. However, the fire grew and my neighbor reminded me that the Burning Mountain fire crossed both the river and highway. My anxiety was further fueled as we watched the fire expand across the ridge line and down the side of the mountain facing our home (see picture). Slurry bombers flew over and dropped thousands of gallons of fire retardant. Helicopters equipped with huge buckets picked up water from the river and doused the flames. Ultimately, the fire burned for 2 weeks. It was an incredible reminder that humankind cannot control nature.

This morning, fire crews from across the country are arriving to dig fire lines and work to direct the fire north, away from populated areas. They must prepare for the heat and wind that is predicted this afternoon. My hope is that it would take a completely bizarre scenario for the fire to threaten our house or, for that matter, where we work. However, if it isn't this fire, there is always the possibility of another. Gulp.