Todays fires

JEFFERSON COUNTY - Firefighters will re-evaluate a mandatory evacuation order of about 80 homes in the area of the Meyer Ranch fire burning in Jefferson County Friday morning.

Dan Hatlestad, a spokesperson for the Inter-Canyon Fire Department, says evacuees may be allowed to return home after fire managers assess the fire behavior and wind conditions.

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JF:

Thanks to you my friend for all you do to keep us informed. You are amazing.

SG:

So glad you and the family are safe. Sorry that you had to go through this terrible ordeal.

any updates this morning? I haven't been able to find anything since last night

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_17908077

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/04/22/f ... ghway-285/

Friday, April 22, 2011
Meyer Ranch Fire update -- Friday morning
The fire remains at 40 acres with 20 percent containment.

Today, firefighters will focus on containment and putting out hotspots. Winds are expected to be high today.

Evacuations remain in place. Officials will be allowing evacuated residents to return to their homes at 9 a.m., briefly, with a deputy escort, to obtain medication and other necessities. Residents will be asked to present identification at the roadblock.
Posted by jeffcosheriff at 8:52 AM

Source

Hopefully we will get a major wet weather dump this weekend and lower the fire danger.

Thanks Nmysys!

Here's my update for this morning:

I took my 14yo daughter to school today late because it was a long night and she helped me with the kiddos this morning. First we checked on the parents who didn't get to go to bed until 1am. Then we stopped at the church at 8am and things looked relatively calm. When I came back to the same area at 8:20am things had changed. You could see A LOT of new smoke and now even further up to their house. There was also a police officer now there who wouldn't let me back in without a sheriffs' escort (no sheriff was there though). I kinda freaked out and said that I had my friends kids because of the fire and I had to get back to get them off to school. After some pleading he finally let me in (thank you!) They said that they would let the bus in but it never showed up so I guess they changed their minds.

Word of caution and this is just my opinion from what I saw. IMO there is still a HUGE risk as it has already starting smoking so much again. It's not over and we (collectively) are not out of the woods. It is pretty windy out there with no moisture so I expect it will be another scary day.

This was the closest I've ever been involved in a fire and/or a fire this close to where I live. Here's what I learned from my experience. I might piss off some people for speaking my mind, but too bad. This might need to be moved to the Ring. LOL
I was pleasantly sur[prised with some of what I saw and experienced and totally disgusted and disappointed with other things. First, I say this mostly because the danger is not over. Perhaps if you're one of the ones I am chaisizing you might do a different job today or in the next fire. Maybe not depending on the type of person you are inside. The moment my daughter and I (my son is staying with a friend and my little girl went to her friends to stay the night that lives across 285) saw that it WAS NOT JUST A GRASS FIRE as I have heard more than one STUPID (and uncaring) person say we hightailed it directly to our friend and neighbors house that was right above where the fire was heading. What truly disappointed me was that we were THE ONLY ONES that showed up to help. WTF!?! I am so pissed right now to be completely honest. Trust me, my daughter was very scared and she still helped! These are your f'ing friends and neighbors and you don't even go to their house to help them? Come on! I can understand that from the others that were close (but not as close) because they were most likely getting their things together and stuff themselves. We have one friend who has 3 little girls and you could hear them crying in the background because mom and dad are busily trying to get things in order in case the wind changes and then they would have been in the path. But come on, many of us (including myself) were NOT in eminent danger and should have been helping.

I too went to the church to get a few of it and I understand that most there don't live in my area. But some do and all they did was stand around and watch. THAT F'ING PISSES ME OFF! My 14yo daughter was even helping to evacuate the family and where were all the men that live up here? What were you all doing that was so important? Watching from a safe distance you friends homes being threatened? Playing on your skid loader ignoring what is going on in your own backyard? You should be ashamed. I don't include in there the ones who called to see if they needed anything (about 6-8 people they said). When I took their kids to my house my daughter stayed alone there to watch the kids while I went back to help the mom and dad. Not only did she watch them but she comforted them too because they were scared about the mom and dad and losing their house. Stupid me was in such a hurry to get out of my car and help I forgot my cell phone in the car. One neighbor was there when I got back and was helping the owner with the sprinklers and he showed my how to make a fire line and we worked on that. His house was the next one over and yet here he was helping his neighbor (as you should do!). He is A GOOD MAN! Later another woman showed up that was the next house in danger and she helped too. The only ones that I saw come to help was one man, 2 women, and one 14 yo girl. How sad it that? There were no police not letting us in so there is not that excuse. Pathetic. I learned you are most likely going to be on your own.

To top it all off when my daughter didn't hear from me she tried to call me numerous times but my phone was in the car. She started to get really upset and scared. Later she was crying and told me that she thought I either died or I was too busy or couldn't hear my phone. That broke my heart. Instead of receiving comfort she was met with, "It's no big deal it's only a grass fire." Finally she called another neighbor who couldn't reach me either and she sent her husband over to see if my daughter was ok. Once I realized I didn't have my phone I went to the car and called her. I gotta say, you see who doesn't give a crap and you find out who truly cares about you.

The firefighters really blew me away and I knew they were AWESOME but I had no idea how great. They got a fire truck to the house when I asked for one within 5 mins. They were so helpful and showed us what we could do to help them. I can't say enough good things about them.

The idiots who didn't seem to give a sh*t yesterday were sitting in the cheap seats without a care in the world but plenty of 'stupid advice and knowledge' to dribble about. Don't talk out your a** when you weren't even there to help your friends or give a crap about your loved ones. Had you bothered to help someone out rather to the watch or to putz around your own house not lifting an f'ing finger, you would have experienced a completely different situation.

Here's who I'd like to thank and acknowledge:

Annie for stopping to tell us there was a fire.
The family for keeping it together in the face of the unthinkable.
Their kids for being brave soldiers and who were a joy to have out our house.
My 14 yo daughter for showing what a true mature and caring parent SHOULD look like. I am beyond proud of you!
The amazing firefighters who put their lives on the line to save us. You are truly angels!
Sara and Ed. Thank you for calling me to check on me and thank you for coming over to comfort my daughter.
To the man and the woman (their neighbors) who came over to help.
To the 6-8 people who called to offer assistance.
To Tammy who texted me last night.
To 'Wily Angela' for your pm.
To my friends who posted your thoughts on FB.

That's about it. If I didn't thank you it's for a reason.

I hope if today shows to be like yesterday people who only thought of themselves will pull their heads out of their asses and help today. If not today, the next time we have a fire. How would you feel? Alone? Yep!

Thanks for putting up with my rant.

You have given an insight from a perspective that we all hope we never have to experience.

It is valuable.

I think you did a good job of delivering a wake-up call to all of us. This season will not be like the others. Don't listen to the news saying "grass fire". We all know better than that up here. ANY fire is a friggin' FIRE, is unpredictable, and has the potential to become a HUGE disaster.

You should be very proud of your 14 year old. She grew up even more yesterday. Usually at that age, they are the ones needing to be comforted, not the other way around. That shows maturity and great empathy and that is a learned behavior that is invaluable in life. She has learned from you, SG. You are obviously setting a very good example for her.

THANK YOU for getting involved. That is some good juju deposited into your Karma account.

I hope today is a good day for the fire fighters and you and your neighbors.

best,
Angela

Wily Fox aka Angela wrote: You have given an insight from a perspective that we all hope we never have to experience.

It is valuable.

I think you did a good job of delivering a wake-up call to all of us. This season will not be like the others. Don't listen to the news saying "grass fire". We all know better than that up here. ANY fire is a friggin' FIRE, is unpredictable, and has the potential to become a HUGE disaster.

You should be very proud of your 14 year old. She grew up even more yesterday. Usually at that age, they are the ones needing to be comforted, not the other way around. That shows maturity and great empathy and that is a learned behavior that is invaluable in life. She has learned from you, SG. You are obviously setting a very good example for her.

THANK YOU for getting involved. That is some good juju deposited into your Karma account.

I hope today is a good day for the fire fighters and you and your neighbors.

Thank you Angela! Truly, this is something that I never thought I'd ever have to say, to think, or to post. It brings tears to my eyes watching my daughter going back into the house time and time again to bring boxes out, pack the kids things, and help even though I knew she was terrified herself. To see her comforting the little ones when she was feeling like this amazes me and I knew even more how special she is and what a gift she is. I couldn't have done it without her. She was my rock in every way yesterday and was truly scared for me too. What an amazing daughter I have. I couldn't be prouder. I'm going back over now to see what else can be done and to try to get a handle of the fire. The things I've said here and most likely what some people don't want to hear but it is the truth. Sadly, I'm sure those same people will not lift a finger even today to help. I can get the sense of that already. Karma is a bitch though. Thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot to me. My poor little 11yo called too because she was across the road and could see the fire and knew I was up there with the family. I love my kiddos so much and sure felt their love yesterday. God speed to everyone involved today.

best,
Angela

http://twitter.com/AnimalEVAC

Per twitter. Animal evac on standby for the Meyer Ranch Fire in Conifer.

41 minutes ago.