17 replies to this topic

[roycestearns]

Colorado guys and gals, you are in our thoughts during the disastorous fires. You guys stay safe, we know that Dale Darling is only a couple of miles from the fires ... Chuck is a distance away, Austin - how close are you?

For a visual of how devasting this fire is take a look at these aerial shots

http://photos.denver...st-staff/38644/

[Frenchcaster]

our thoughts are going to Colorado for sure.

A.

[Dale A. Darling]

Hi Royce; thanks for being so thoughtful!

The fire north of us - it started about 10 miles or less from the cabin - is now contained and in the brush up stage; burned about 90,000 acres, nearly 300 homes and cabins.

The very destructive fire near Colorado Springs is apparently close to being under control. It blew up so fast and so near housing that lots of homes were consumed in a, well, a flash.

Colorado has serious issues with enormous swatches of pine beetled killed forest, dry tinder beneath and low humidity combined with high winds. Good areas for fire, bad for humans who live there. The fact is that fire is the only cure for the pine beetle epidemic and the areas killed by their larva. Ask Chuck about Yellowstone now, over 25 years after an enormous fire burnt through similar stands of pine. It is coming back lush and healthy, as will the areas now burning or burned here.

As the state has 66,387,200 Acres, though, the fires are relatively small, but dangerous. We'll have plenty more if we don't get more rain and cooler temps!

Austin and Micheal live in town - Loveland, which is east of the foothills where Shan and I live. They've had more smoke when the wind is right for it, but no danger from these fires. Chuck lives in Lakewood - west of Denver - and has had loads of smoke from lots of the fires.

Still, we fish for trout with dry flies...go figure!

Thanks Royce and others for caring. I hope everyone is well.

dd

[Rocky Maley]

Glad to here your safe Dale. Cole my oldest is down there fighting fire haven't herd from him in 6 days so i woory about him. Stay safe

Rocky

[Austin Clayton]

Thanks for the concerns fellas. Like Dale said Micheal, Chuck and I are safe and sound where we are. Dale said it best, our climate produces fire conducive conditions. Very sad for all the people who have lost their homes. Hopefully we get some rain soon....but it doesnt look like it.

Austin

[bobfly]

Know how you blokes are feeling. One big waiting game...

[geraldsherbrook]

Dear DALE, CHARLIE, AUSTIN, MICHAEL...KEITH...

First and all a thanks to ROYCE who's concerned about the tragedy who strucks YOUR 'region' !!! and his expression that every'one' of YOU ...would be safe !!!

So to hear YOU are 'all' safe (GOD THANKS for this)

Looking to the tubes...it must had been a 'nightmare' for all those people and families who lost their 'homes' they constructed...and sooooooooooo many 'interieur' furniture/goods/cloths/souvenirs/tools...up to for some I am sure flyfishinggear and flytyingstuff...

Me and Nathalie will pray for 'all' those 'unlucky' families !!!

Geert

[flyryan]

good luck guys

[Dale A. Darling]

Thanks. Bob - you know better than most of us. Cole is in the midst of it.

Rocky, all firefighters have been kept safe. Some years ago there were several disasters during fires and lots of firefighters were killed - I think some of them were from Oregon. The worst was near Glenwood Springs. I think as a result significant changes have been made on how the fires are approached by folks on the ground and so far this season no one carrying a maul or ax has been injured. As Geert said - Thank God,

If Cole needs a break and a meal, have him call me.

Thanks to you all,
dd

[keithciesla]

Not sure if the smoke im smelling is from the fire by Dale or the one in Colorado Springs. Suzanne and I were by pikes peak the other day, its so hot weather wise and the winds are not helping. We seem to be in a good area even though Douglas county has been listed in a red zone. Hopefully the firework shows don't spark any additional fires. Dont worry Austin and I will keep a tight eye on that cranky old fellow in the high grounds

Take care and thanks,

Keith

[Charlie Vestal]

Keith,

Don't get your hopes up since all fireworks shows have been cancelled except to a couple of commercial venues (the baseball game downtown Denver for example).

You were probably smelling the Colorado Springs fire. We certainly did here in Lakewood.

[Rocky Maley]

Cole spent the night in the hospitle last night from smoke inhelation and to much carben somthing in his blood. But we will be going back to the front line in the morning. He sead he is noth east of grand junction. Cole new 3 of the kids that were killed in colarado a few years ago and viseted there momorial last year coming home from a fire in new mexaco. He was very touched by it

Rocky

cowcamp here i come 4 more days

[BCBound]

Very devestating. I hope you all keep safe. Those photos are very shocking. It amazes me to no end that a fire of such size and force can burn one house right to the ground, and just stop at the neihgbours. I know a lot of this is due to the hard work of the fire fighters, but it's still amazing to see.

[Dale A. Darling]

The fires are out, and now the burned areas are flooding due to heavy rain. The floods were expected and the rain is welcome. It appears it's arrived too late to save the dry land corn on the plains, but will do well for other crops while cooling the water in our streams and filling reservoirs.

Our flowers, trees, plants and grass are as happy as a basket of belly buttons right now.

Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West are wild ares full of extremes - our friends in Washington, Oregon and Northern California know this well, too. Natural events hit fast - these fires raced through spots: the small fire in Estes Park - less than 10 miles west of here - burned 22 homes in 30 minutes! The rain - and snow at other times - comes in and drops up to 3' in a few hours now and again. Of course all the media report are the "disasters". The snow is usually gone within a couple of days - and no slush or water remains! Amazing.

Rocky - would love to hear from you; sure hope Cole is okay, my friend. Also hope cow camp is dandy again. Are you coming out to fish for Greenback Cutts?

Thanks to all for your thoughts; thanks for caring, Royce.

dd

[roycestearns]

Dale thanks for the update, and yes Rocky, give us an update on Cole, you left us wanting the rest of the story! stay cool.

[roycestearns]

Wow ... Rocky & Cole - we've lost more firefighters in traffic accidents, I hope these all come out okay.
This fire that these firefighters were heading to is in Rocky's neck of the woods ...
http://www.oregonliv...t_river_default
Stay safe

[Rocky Maley]

Cole had carbinmonoxcide poisioning he is back on the fire line now and doing great. he will be home this saturday.They went from grandjunction CO to larime wy for 2 days then they got sent back to grandjunction co. to finnish ther 21 days

Rocky

[Dale A. Darling]

Thanks for the update Rocky; glad Cole is okay - must be frightening for you. Remember my son-in-law, Aaron? He was a hot shot, probably doing what Cole's doing, for 5 years or so; gave it up for being a rafting guide during summers after he and Rachel got married. Also, did you guys know our own Bob Frandsen was a wild fire fighter in OZ? Yep.

I hope you're well Rocky; thinking of you and your family often,
dd