8 Years Ago -- The Hayman Wildfire

Amen Pinedust. Sometimes the hair on my neck stands up when I read through some of it. I will never forget how scared I was.

I did, Becky; it was one of the most terrifying times of my life. We ended up with 16 horses, 5 goats, 8 dogs, two families, some chickens, cats and a rabbit at our house only to evac from there the next day when the wind changed. It's why I'm such a case at this time of year. I was going to look through instead of cleaning my house or washing the dogs or going down the hill to buy a couch. Yes, I am highly motivated today, indeed.

I can send you the log if you like and you can help me post some interesting excerpts. This is a very loooonnnngggg log. It is 2 weeks that none of us who lived through it will ever forget. Warning...it will make you cry and take you right back to that place again.

You know what else I remember? I didn't eat or sleep for almost a week. I drove out alone toward the smoke, but not too close and picked up horses and other animals...exhausting to do and spent hours working with one mare that refused to load. Crazy to me that now, eight years later, they're going to let happy campers start fires in Staunton when it opens. <shaking my head and yeah, yeah, I know.....>

Becky, you are an angel and yes please, send!

Jun 09 11:19:20 <AC44> Kurt - just came in here....see brown/white smoke east of us -
that the Lake George fire? Looks like blew up.
Jun 09 11:19:24 <-- abc123 has quit (QUIT: User exited)
Jun 09 11:19:27 <haroldjp> Just left Elk Creek Fire Station at 285 and Richmond Hill Rd.
They say smoke is from fire at Otero reservour, is moving east and is very large.
Rep I spoke to said 100,000 acres is burning but I don't know if that's all this. fire or state wide. TV crews were arriving and I
couldn't ask an more questions......

Jun 09 11:20:11 <KurtBoyer> I'll get a map of Otero resevoir.....

Jun 09 11:21:12 <haroldjp> Smoke pattern I see from here is way bigger than High Meadows fire. Has to be thousands and not hundreds of acres!.....

Jun 09 11:28:58 <carpetgal> Cheeseman Dam area being evaced.....

Jun 09 11:33:38 <peakwolf> could someone sum up the fires you guys are talking about?
I am confused about what is burning where (except for Glenwood fire)....

Jun 09 11:34:08 <Soozee> we are tracking the Hayman fire
Jun 09 11:34:31 <carpetgal> we are a little confused today too
Jun 09 11:34:32 <Soozee> extreme SW jeffco and Park Co.....

Jun 09 11:35:13 <Soozee> Fire can not be contained at all
Jun 09 11:35:22 <Soozee> That is old news
Jun 09 11:35:23 <LitlBro> Thanks for clearing that up...
Jun 09 11:35:30 <-- bjm has quit (QUIT: User exited)
Jun 09 11:35:40 <Soozee> moving toward Cheesman Dam.....

Jun 09 11:37:36 <carpetgal> is the fire moving up the east or west side of the lake
Jun 09 11:37:42 <Shred303> As of 10:30 the fire size was 1500+ acres
Jun 09 11:37:48 <Soozee> and CG is right - it has to have run about 10 miles
this morning
Jun 09 11:37:51 <carpetgal> schoonover was on the west side right
Jun 09 11:37:55 <AC44> Then could burn over already burned territory and that
could be good
Jun 09 11:38:16 <Soozee> shred - where di you hear that?.....
Jun 09 11:38:54 <Shred303> US forest services site.....

Jun 09 11:39:39 <Raptr> evacuations requested at deckers and wigwam.....

Jun 09 11:40:11 <Raptr> theyre also thinking of scrating the evac at cheeseman.....

Turns out, it actually ran 17 or 23 miles in that one day. My family was camping on the Western Slope and had to leave because of the Coal Seam Fire near Glenwood Springs. When we got to the Evergreen exit on I-70 we saw the same type smoke clouds drifting in the sky. I called the station and asked if there was a fire somewhere near Evergreen. They said the only one they knew about was Lake George. I said that was too far away to be making smoke in Evergreen. I logged on to Pinecam and found out from the scanner people what was going on and posted on the Pinecam Blog.

http://www.pinecam.com/blog_archives/20 ... blog.shtml

The Blog entries are in reverse order -- first mention of the "Heyman Fire" is at the bottom.

(Thanks to Pinecam for keeping this historic Blog on their site, even if they no longer keep it up anymore).

Jun 09 11:44:15 <carpetgal> OK Guys. Let's get organized so we can get some reports on the
scanner update
Jun 09 11:44:33 <carpetgal> where did this fire originate exactly.....

Jun 09 11:45:29 <peakwolf> when is pinecamguy getting back?
Jun 09 11:45:30 <Raptr> started NW of lake george
Jun 09 11:45:34 <Soozee> That would be aliitle south of Tarryall
Jun 09 11:45:37 <Soozee> Monday.....

Jun 09 11:46:23 <Raptr> Animal control and horse trailers being sent to Flying G.
Breifing at Lost Valley ranch
Jun 09 11:46:25 <peakwolf> seems like wind direction has shifted, smoke was coming over us now
is blowing to the w it seems......

Jun 09 11:46:43 <Soozee> Raptr - can you post take under scanner?
Jun 09 11:46:48 <Soozee> that
Jun 09 11:46:48 <pinecone> well, Soozee: that?
Jun 09 11:46:53 <Raptr> nope
Jun 09 11:46:57 <Soozee> why?
Jun 09 11:47:03 <Raptr> im new to the site as of this morning
Jun 09 11:47:17 <Raptr> ive used it but never chat or forums
Jun 09 11:47:26 --> LitlBro (quickchat@=1ujr1639174.direcpc.com) has joined #pinechat
Jun 09 11:47:29 <Soozee> oh - CG - you are the only one ok to post on scanner -
please do so, ok?....
Jun 09 11:47:36 <AC44> They have good info at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/fire/hayman/.... .

Jun 09 11:48:36 <Soozee> deckers and wigwam are under voluntary evac at this time
Jun 09 11:48:42 <AC44> By jf
Jun 09 11:48:49 <Raptr> np soozee .. ill be here all day. nothing better to do
Jun 09 11:48:57 <carpetgal> what channel raptr....

Jun 09 11:50:47 <Kilowattt> Significant Events: County Road 77 closed. 10 residences evacuated. Watershed threatened. This fire was aggressively attacked w/2 airtankers, a HEL1,a Hel3, 5 fed engs, 4 county engs, CRW1 and CRW2. The fire went from 1/2 acre to
40+ in 2 hours. Spot fire also 40 acres. Fire did spot across CR 77.
Jun 09 11:51:02 <Kilowattt> Observed Fire Behavior: Prolific short-range spotting, .1 mile.
Long-range spotting upto 3/4 mile. 2-4 ft flame lengths in grass/surface.
Crown runs and sustained torching with 50 foot flame lengths.
Jun 09 11:51:03 <Kilowattt> Planned Actions: Continued evacuations and protection of the public.Secure flanks and develop intelligence for transisiton......

Jun 09 11:56:24 <ankhie> everything in denver is an eerie yellow color from the smoke to
the southwest
Jun 09 11:56:34 <carpetgal> someone give wind direction and speed
Jun 09 11:56:36 <AC44> Just a sec...

Jun 09 11:56:53 <dillykat> smoke plume was to the east over castle rock earlier this morning...
now farther north over aurora.....

Jun 09 12:01:23 <pinecone> Last Scanner Update: (06/09/2002 13:53) Hayman Fire ->
Fire is out of control. Deckers, Wigwam, Cheeseman Dam area are being evacuated......

I would love to hear some of the personal stories like Loping Along's. Please feel free to post.

Jun 09 12:16:00 <AC44> Can smell smoke at Highland PInes......PJunction...you CG?.....

Jun 09 12:18:23 <rockymtnhi> i'm in bailey, off of hi meadow and smoke is almost over my house....

Jun 09 12:20:13 <lazierfan> Some more frequencies: 123.075, 122.425, 168.650, also reports of
two aircraft near misses, one involving a news chopper and slurry bomber…..

Jun 09 12:21:01 <KurtBoyer> "cheesman mandatory evacuation" 153.875
Jun 09 12:21:08 <Raptr> News Update: Flying G ranch WILL be saved…..

Jun 09 12:21:51 <LitlBro> Park County says Hayman setting at 1600 acres...


Jun 09 12:23:02 <Raptr> Slurry Bombers Being used. Coming in on Aircraft……

Jun 09 12:23:32 <LitlBro> Saw 2 slurries heading out about 20 minutes ago..
Jun 09 12:23:33 <ankhie> hayman fire expected to spread to douglas county…..

Jun 09 12:29:26 <Raptr> Long or Lone Rock Campground (couldnt tell) being notified to
Evacuate……

Jun 09 12:42:36 <derjasdp> I thought hayman was by Lake george. This smoke is coming from
the Cheeseman fire isn't it?
Jun 09 12:42:40 <dillykat> 560/211 approx 4mi sw deckers
Jun 09 12:42:50 <carpetgal> same fire just run a long ways
Jun 09 12:42:56 <KurtBoyer> derjaspd, same fire as far as I know.
Jun 09 12:42:59 <Raptr> Cheeseman, Lake George, and Hayman .. all same fire
Jun 09 12:43:14 <Soozee> Same fire - started out near Lake George and traveled to
Cheesman

Jun 09 12:43:25 <carpetgal> things are cranking up again
Jun 09 12:43:26 <fredwz> by wildcat canyon?
Jun 09 12:43:44 <fredwz> none yet
Jun 09 12:43:47 --> rancho

Jun 09 12:44:13 <carpetgal> I Fred, becky here in Bailey. Fire has run all the way from
Lake George to Cheeseman res and deckers……
Jun 09 12:47:34 <AC44> Looks like from PJunction that it may...I say may, have
blown up again....lots of white smoke farther south
Jun 09 12:47:59 <KurtBoyer> AC44, yes the plume of smoke is larger than ever…..

Jun 09 12:50:08 <smtaw> I can see the smoke from my deck in Kings Valley and it is bigger
and darker than an nour or two ago…..

Jun 09 12:51:45 <Raptr> scanners getting quiet
Jun 09 12:51:58 <carpetgal> fire is blowing up again
Jun 09 12:52:00 <KurtBoyer> getting lots of static on my scanner now….


Jun 09 12:52:22 <jf1acai_cell> Smoke appears taller and darker from Golden..

Jun 09 12:55:04 <steve_w> Just got back home to see the smoke. I'm in Forest Estates. Where is the fire and what's the status?...+
Jun 09 12:55:21 <KurtBoyer> pinecone scanner
Jun 09 12:55:21 <pinecone> Last Scanner Update: (06/09/2002 14:51) -> The plume is now growing larger. Slurry Bombers Being used. Coming in on Aircraft Cahnnels. No sign of choppers……

Jun 09 12:59:33 <carpetgal> we are still trying to get a handle on where it is and where it is going
Jun 09 12:59:40 <JacktheDog> Campfire!? Don't people realize how dry it is???
Jun 09 12:59:47 <Raptr> 80 ground firefighters and 2 slurry bombers fighting fire
Jun 09 12:59:56 <rockymtnhi> there is a hell of a lot more smoke than an hour ago…..

Jun 09 13:00:09 <Raptr> NEWS 4 is showing it now
Jun 09 13:00:22 <woodside> here's my idea of what the 285 information sign should say: No smoking. No fires. No stoves. No mercy. Please stay home!"…..

Jun 09 13:02:18 <Raptr> Location: Park County, 6 miles NW of Lake George along the Tarryall Drainage
Jun 09 13:02:19 <pinecone> maybe not
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Date of Origin: 6/8/02, reported at 4 PM MDT
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Size: 1500+ acres involving Park & Douglas Counties
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Cause: Illegal Campfire
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Contained: 5%
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Estimated Containment Date: None
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Structures Threatened: 20 residences, 20 outbuildings, 4 commercial properties
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Structures Lost: 0
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Resources Threatened: Recreation Area, Major Watershed
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Personnel Assigned: 4-20 person crews
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Injuries: 0
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Equipment Assigned: 2 Air Tankers, 2 Heavy Helicopters and numerous engines
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Other Resources Assigned: Park County Sheriff, Park County VFD and U.S. Forest Service
Jun 09 13:02:19 <Raptr> Fire Behavior: Extreme and heading east/northeast…..

Jun 09 13:03:01 <Raptr> EVACUATIONS
Jun 09 13:03:02 <Raptr> Evacuations are taking place east of County Road (CR) 77. Those affected are being directed to the Lake George Elementary School. Evacuations are in effect for all private land and recreation areas between Matukat Road and Cedar Mountain Road up to Highway 67. All additional evacuation questions should be directed to the Park County Sheriff at 719-836-2494.
Jun 09 13:03:02 <Raptr> Molly Gulch Campground, Goose Creek Campground and Flying G Girl Scout Ranch are under mandatory evacuation
Jun 09 13:03:04 --> dew (dew@=ANo90.3c04.pm.dimcom.net) has joined #pinechat
Jun 09 13:03:11 <Raptr> CLOSURES
Jun 09 13:03:11 <Raptr> County Road 77 is closed between Highway 24 and Park County Rd 31. A closure order for the affected areas of the Pike National Forest is expected later today.
Jun 09 13:03:35 <HappyCamper> Hi I just got on how big is this fire
Jun 09 13:03:36 <KurtBoyer> Raptr, can you please post that to the scanner board?......

Wow, I'd almost forgotten about the pinecone robot posting stuff during the fire....

Here's some pictures to go with it: