Here we go again — this time, the fire is in Black Forest, and it sounds like another doozy.
We used to train up there in the Nineties, when I was still racing, and from the sound of it the fire may have started near Black Forest Regional Park, where Team Mad Dog Media-Dogs At Large Velo promoted a cyclo-cross or two back in the day. Plenty of fuel up there, and with the humidity in single digits and the wind in double digits, you have a recipe for some very bad news indeed.
Herself and I saw a couple of Fort Carson CH-47 Shithooks whock-whock-whocking overhead toward the Forest this afternoon, but we didn’t see any buckets dangling. The Blue Zoomies are pitching in, too.
And this is only one of the fires going on at the moment. Others are at the Royal Gorge, La Veta, Douglas County and Rocky Mountain National Park. The Denver Post is also live-blogging the blazes — using actual live-blogging software, too, unlike our local cage-liner, which seems to be doing it the hard (and cheap) way while expecting the customers to keep refreshing the page. Spend some money, peckerwoods. Phil Anschutz has it to burn, you should pardon the expression.
Anyway, we’re just fine here, but sounds like plenty of folks aren’t. More as we hear it.
Mad Blog Media 
Shit oh dear.. There are two big ones burning in the Santa Fe National Forest above Santa Fe and one in the Jemez Mountains. We are basically triangulated by fire. I’ve not had a decent night sleep in weeks due to the bad air and bad sinuses.
For those idjits who doubt climate change, don’t ask me for a match, because I’ll use my mom’s old line on your: My ass and your face.
Misery loves company, Patrick. Last few posts look like yours.
http://www.labikes.blogspot.com/
Yeech. Good times. Makes me glad we don’t have kids. Can you imagine your grandson asking you, “Pops, what’s a forest?”
We don’t have kids either, and lately I’ve had a lot of thoughts like yours, Patrick. I’d hate to be telling my kids stories that sounded like they were right out of the Twilight Zone.
Ditto.
K, my man Matt was pitching a bitch about the smoke and ash down Santa Fe way. He was very much looking forward to his annual salmon-fishing trip to Alaska. I thought about signing on as cabin boy, but my sense of humor is too large for a small fishing boat.
Sorry to hear that. Wish I could send our rain and humidity westwards to you. Keep safe.
Stand outside and flap your arms, Libby. Every little bit helps.
I was up in that general vicinity on a bike this morning. It was already hotter than hell around 10 and the wind was off the hook. Fighting a fire in these conditions must feel like trying to hold back the tide with a cocktail fork.
103 on the patio in the shade at 1543 today. All this fire news has me checking the horizon frequently.
We have been been lucky down here so far. No red flag warnings this month for our area. But the National Forest started the fire bans, and closure will be next unless the rains start soon. Hope the weather puts and end to the fires there. Khal, we woke up to smoke yesterday from the fire in the Gila, NE of Silver City. Come on monsoon!
I had a massive headache going home yesterday and tasted soot all the way. Made worse by my decision to take the long way home. This is depressing.
On a brighter note, took the new Saga for its maiden voyage this morning. Sweet!
Good news that, Patrick. You enjoying your new ride?
Yes sir! More stable than the 520, especially the steering. Everything switched over fine except I needed a new seat post collar. Different size than the 520 frame. Had one left over from my Niner that was close enough to work. Took the guys at the LBS a six pack (Pacifico) today to thank them.
Patrick, see your area has a red flag warning again this afternoon. And you and Khal have 10% chance of rain today. Here’s hoping that 10% turns into a nice gentle inch or so over the day. No smoke from the Silver fire down on the Gila NF. Drove through there 2 years ago after visiting the Albuquerque aquarium, zoo, and botanical garden.
Fire Dept just left after pumping out the basement and left me a pump to continue pumping. Sump pump swamped. 1.33 inches of rain so far today after days/ weeks of rain in the wet Northeast. Wish I could send it way way out west/southwest.
Jeez, Libby, you and Weak have an embarrassment of riches out your way. Alas, we’re not due for what they call “monsoon season” here until July. Fingers crossed.
Ditto here Libby. We just had a heavy storm blow through town around 4:00. Heavy winds and rain. I saw at least three whole trees blown over on my 1 mile bike ride home. Gotta go to P&M’s shortly to get a portion of a maple off of their house.
All this being said, I’d take it over fires any day.