8 Years Ago -- The Hayman Wildfire

Sorry to have hijacked the thread... back on topic:

I have some amazing stories to share, some personal but mostly of the incredible people that came forward to help during this very trying time. Some of it was blogged and put on DSV, I think. Becky, are there some stories there?

I grew up in the area and had been living in Park Co/Jeffco from Pine Jct to Grant since I was 17 years old. So, I already knew how mountain folk are. They stick to themselves, pretty much, but when someone is in need, they are RIGHT there. I was living in Grant directly against the National forest during the blizzard of 82.... lots of us didn't sleep for a week until we dug out our friends trapped in Hidden Valley Ranch behind Woodside in Pine Jct. That is the spirit of the area.

Anyway, during the fire, people were anxious. Most weren't working, were hanging around home waiting to be evacuated and were feeling helpless. People wanted to DO something to help. They wanted to go fight the fire! But, instead, that energy was put out in some fabulous acts of kindness. The pinecam chat room became a clearing house, so to speak, for needs. Hundreds of people were accessing the chat room for info and to just hang out when things were quiet, to just feel some connection to their neighbors. A need was put out and BAM! within minutes it was answered. It was when I fully grasped the power of the website and what it could be. It was during Hayman, I feel, that the first step in making it truly a COMMUNITY website was born. More than a place to shoot the sh*t. Wayne was locked in the newsroom and posting official information to us as soon as it came into him, people were giving firsthand information from their locations, people were monitoring scanners and posting the information, people got maps out and were posting exact locations when we would hear places mentioned on the scanners.... it was like the first Twitter.... hahahaha

Thanks for this thread. I think it's important that people not forget what it was like. We really haven't had a fire season lately like the early years of the decade. I think some people have gotten complacent the last few years.

I was actually more scared during the Hi-Meadow fire than the Hayman fire. Hi-Meadow was just way too close, and we had that day that the weather forecasters were predicting a shift in the winds which would have blown the fire further north - which thankfully never happened.

BTW - those pix Wayne posted way back on page 2 or so, one of them is mine. Can you tell which one?

The one with the paca on the gate... I wondered about that.

I agree with Gringa.

While Pinecam covered the Hi Meadow Fire a few years before and got accolades for that including a nice letter from the Governor, it wasn't until the 2002 fire season that Pinecam became a community involved site -- in terms of having community members participating more. There were a number of fires prior to Hayman that helped set the stage for full community participation in reacting to what became Colorado's largest wildfire. When I came home to Hayman burning and realized I was the only one who could
update the home page, it was a huge wakeup call for me that other people needed to have access and be involved.

Here's how the front page looked during the Snaking Fire that hit Bailey in 2002, prior to Hayman.

http://www.pinecam.com/indexmain.html

There's a lot of interesting stuff on the Pinecam Blog from that period, including a prophetic posting that "We could be in for a long fire season this year" as a result of low snowpack and low moisture. I remember when I started the blog, I had to explain what a blog was as it wasn't a widely-recognized term at the time. The first blog entry was in 2000. I'm not sure why there's a gap between my first 2000 post and the blog picking up again in 2002.

http://www.pinecam.com/blog_archives/pineblog.shtml (covers most of 2002)

http://www.pinecam.com/pineblog/archives/ (2003 to 2004)

Jun 09 18:25:50 <Soozee> Wind picked up - they are not going to put any fire on the ground now
Jun 09 18:26:01 <pinecamguy> I have changed the cam to update every 5 minutes.. I can't get the entire plume (bottom to top) in the picture..
Jun 09 18:26:20 <AC44> Ty PCG
Jun 09 18:26:20 <tjet500> From what I have read, I gather this fire is moving west to east and Deckers/Trumball is in its path, am I correct?......

Jun 09 18:27:22 <tjet500> We live in Burland, I saw no evacuations for us, I assume we are not in it's path?
Jun 09 18:27:32 <Soozee> I think you are ok........

Jun 09 18:28:05 <tjet500> Understand this was a campfire, I am amazzed anyone would do such a thing with all the warnings
Jun 09 18:28:16 <mtnmed> do they know who it was???
Jun 09 18:28:22 <Soozee> They were probably from Denver... lol
Jun 09 18:28:23 <pinecone> the smallest things amuse Soozee!
Jun 09 18:28:35 <RFoster> Hrm, the lines are down or the Main lodge has burned, the machine there isn't picking up.......

Jun 09 18:30:34 <Soozee> they are blocking road 58
Jun 09 18:30:36 <siloxane> I agree tjet. I didn't know if we'd make it through memorial day weekend.
Jun 09 18:30:44 <carpetgal> why is there a road block at cty rd 68
Jun 09 18:31:06 <Soozee> county road 68 near Wellington Lake......
Jun 09 18:31:08 <carpetgal> Near Wellington Lake
Jun 09 18:31:09 <woodsidewillie> road 68 near wellington
Jun 09 18:31:11 <Soozee> They need a road block.......

Jun 09 18:35:23 --> mtnvicky (quickchat@=jRhft7-109.mm.den.viawest.net) has joined #pinechat
Jun 09 18:35:28 <woodsidewillie> the rest of the country is being told that all of colorado is on fire (according to the inlaws)
Jun 09 18:35:56 <siloxane> that's the way it looks from the sattelite photo woodsidewillie!
Jun 09 18:35:56 <mtnmed> well it practically is!!
Jun 09 18:36:12 <carpetgal> fire is making major run towards 211. Crowning.
Jun 09 18:36:15 <mtnvicky> Anyone know about the legalities of banning campers ?
Jun 09 18:36:16 <Soozee> Fire is taking major crown run to the north
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Jun 09 18:36:26 <RicardoGigante> the firefighter on the radio is at Flying G ranch and said they are completly safe
Jun 09 18:36:40 <chuffman> One state for sale, slightly singed, best offer by next Friday takes it all!
Jun 09 18:36:56 <Soozee> lol
Jun 09 18:36:56 * pinecone tries to figure out the humor in it.....

Jun 09 18:36:59 <carpetgal> Ffire may have crossed forest rd 560
Jun 09 18:37:06 <pinecamguy> Okay, go to this URL and click on the pictures taken over the past 12 hours..
Jun 09 18:37:07 <pinecamguy> http://www.pinecam.com/archive/...... .

Jun 09 18:37:31 <woodsidewillie> said they have a big safety zone by the lodge at lost valley ranch
Jun 09 18:37:45 <pinksbuddy> Rob, hope this works....

Jun 09 18:38:26 <mtnvicky> Does Gov Owens have the authority to ban camping ?......
Jun 09 18:38:37 <Soozee> I am sure he does
Jun 09 18:38:47 <Soozee> FIREWORKS ON QUAKIE WAY!
Jun 09 18:38:51 <siloxane> He had the authority to ban fireworks, I don't know about camping.....

Jun 09 18:38:51 <woodsidewillie> fireworks reported on Quakie way
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Jun 09 18:38:58 <Soozee> I am sure our sherrif can ban them, too
Jun 09 18:39:04 <siloxane> Someone is using fireworks?
Jun 09 18:39:14 <Soozee> yep!
Jun 09 18:39:18 <carpetgal> Today isn't Fathers Day is it
Jun 09 18:39:18 <mtnvicky> Wish he'd do it ! We have enough problems with mother nature. Also, wish they'd totally ban fireworks !
Jun 09 18:39:21 <Soozee> in Burland
Jun 09 18:39:26 <siloxane> Brilliant.
Jun 09 18:39:29 * RFoster sighs
Jun 09 18:39:37 <woodsidewillie> firworks ARE banned up here
Jun 09 18:39:40 <siloxane> Fathersday is next sunday
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Jun 09 18:39:54 <carpetgal> thank goodness. Thought I forgot to call my Dad
Jun 09 18:40:00 <mtnvicky> Guess I didn't know the fireworks were banned. Last I heard it was up to the counties.
Jun 09 18:40:08 <siloxane> I would think firworks would always be banned in the mountains.
Jun 09 18:40:15 <mtnvicky> They should be !
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Jun 09 18:40:20 <dillykat> I think we should drop fire slurry on all the campers
Jun 09 18:40:25 <mtnvicky> Amen !.....

Jun 09 18:40:26 <RFoster> http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/fire/hayman/ says there there is One injury, anyone heard who that is on their scanners?......

Jun 09 18:40:42 <mtnvicky> I heard someone had chest pains - maybe heart attack.
Jun 09 18:40:49 <Soozee> no, and I am not even sure where that injury was
Jun 09 18:40:57 <carpetgal> Heard it on the news rfoster. Don't think it is on your ranch though......
Jun 09 18:41:24 <AC44> Channel 7 said one fireman- possible heart attack.......

Jun 09 18:41:39 <pinecamguy> Anyone know if the fire burns faster or slower when it goes through an already burned area?

Jun 09 18:41:43 <carpetgal> just had ham guy say that all are safe at both lost valley and Flying G
Jun 09 18:41:43 <AC44> That's for RF - no scanner confirm on that - unless someone here knows.....

Jun 09 18:41:53 <AC44> Slower
Jun 09 18:41:58 <pinecamguy> thanks
Jun 09 18:41:59 <AC44> He was a firefighter.
Jun 09 18:42:01 --- KurtBoyer_eating is now known as KurtBoyer
Jun 09 18:42:01 <Jellomold> Fire crossing forest road 211. Any1 know where that is??
Jun 09 18:42:05 <AC44> Volunteer -yw......

Jun 09 18:42:41 <chuffman> FR 211 is Goose Creek road on my map
Jun 09 18:42:42 <Raptr> is anyone here the person who sent the PM on the message boards?
Jun 09 18:42:42 <pinecone> yes Raptr, I'm here. What do you need?
Jun 09 18:42:50 <AC44> 211 south edge of Lost Creek Wilderness - from our maps
Jun 09 18:42:58 <RFoster> 211 is west/SW of the ranch, and the res it connects tarryall to the ranch and then from there to deskers(that a generalization)
Jun 09 18:43:07 <kwille> FR 211 is just SW of Jefferson/Douglas/Teller county line intersection
Jun 09 18:43:26 <Raptr> im gonna go get a few new pics of the fire........

Jun 09 18:43:37 <KurtBoyer> Fire is HUGE, processing about 20 pics I just took.
Jun 09 18:43:37 <Jellomold> Where is FR211 in relation to 67?
Jun 09 18:44:04 <AC44> East of of 211.....
Jun 09 18:44:50 <kwille> 67 is about 6 miles east of 211.....

Jun 09 18:48:05 <Raptr> yeah .. theyll be small .. i use dialup too Jun 09 18:46:09 <Raptr> hey kurt. Want a pic from my house. Very very ugly but its a good pic
Jun 09 18:46:29 <fancy2> Has the fire jumped 67 yet?
Jun 09 18:46:29 <carpetgal> here she goes up again
Jun 09 18:46:32 * pinecone is cleaning the bunny hutch.
Jun 09 18:46:58 <kwille> 211 is also known as Goose Creek Road
Jun 09 18:47:10 <chuffman> 211 branches off 67 south of Deckers
Jun 09 18:47:26 <pinecamguy> This looks like Mount St. Helens
Jun 09 18:47:30 <KurtBoyer> raptr, you can send pics to if you'd like (keep em small...dialup)
Jun 09 18:47:45 <fancy2> Hi Carpetgal, I am back from Canon, it does not look good from here in BV either, we can now see the
Jun 09 18:48:10 <pinecamguy> Where is Wilkerson?
Jun 09 18:48:16 <pinksbuddy> Pinecamguy, I was sitting in my backyard in Portland when St. Helens went up
Jun 09 18:48:25 <carpetgal> Firefighters say it is also running to the south south east towards sugarloaf Mtn
Jun 09 18:48:31 <pinksbuddy> It was just as you say. This looks the same.
Jun 09 18:48:43 <fancy2> Wilkerson Pass is just west of Terryall lake
Jun 09 18:48:54 <Raptr> brb
Jun 09 18:48:55 <pinecone> we'll be here when you get back.
Jun 09 18:48:58 <pinecamguy> Oh, yeah........

Jun 09 18:49:31 <pinecamguy> I absolutely cannot get this from top to bottom in the pinecam pic.. zoomed all the way out..
Jun 09 18:49:36 <chuffman> Oops, make that 211 branches off S. Deckers Road south of Deckers
Jun 09 18:49:37 * pinecone laughs, too
Jun 09 18:50:03 <AC44> Mr AC and I out on deck.....plumes so high over PJ -
Jun 09 18:50:11 <Jellomold> I'm not seeing the fire roads on my software maps but I get the gist, thatnks.
Jun 09 18:50:11 <KurtBoyer> If this wind changes, and starts blowing towards our house, we are gonna have to leave.
Jun 09 18:50:14 <Guest44608> 211 is the rd that goes from cr126 to cheesman
Jun 09 18:50:14 <AC44> No wonder you can't get it PCG....it is huge
Jun 09 18:50:19 <AC44> Wind shifted
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Jun 09 18:50:36 <dancinbbear> Kurt where are u?.....

Jun 09 18:50:49 <KurtBoyer> swiss village, Pine, CO
Jun 09 18:50:59 <KurtBoyer> not near fire yet, but smoke could be very bad.
Jun 09 18:51:19 <fancy2> We are getting the haze from all the surrounding fires in the state, the Sherriff just came on the Radio there are no fires here
Jun 09 18:51:19 <fancy2> in Chaffee County
Jun 09 18:51:22 <Jellomold> Ha! found 211, thanks.
Jun 09 18:51:33 <Raptr> kurt. can you give me the email to send the piture to again plz.....

Jun 09 18:51:41 <KurtBoyer>
Jun 09 18:51:43 <dancinbbear> i am in Pine, other side of 285
Jun 09 18:51:55 <fancy2> I have an extra house here if anyone needs to stay here in Buena Vista
Jun 09 18:52:10 <AC44> Looks like from here you could have that Kurt
Jun 09 18:52:32 <fancy2> Is Hwy 24 open?
Jun 09 18:52:39 <carpetgal> here comes another nuclear holocaust plume
Jun 09 18:52:50 <kwille> Its huge!
Jun 09 18:52:50 <KurtBoyer> yeah, I'm sitting here processing pics while my wife is wrestling with our girls.
Jun 09 18:52:56 <Jellomold> We're still south of Cheesman right?
Jun 09 18:53:24 <Raptr> k kurt. Pic on the way. its 150 kb .. shouldnt take too long.....
Jun 09 18:53:50 <pinecamguy> Fancy2. Thanks
Jun 09 18:54:05 <pinecamguy> these firefighters sound so calm.......

After I read this thread I have spent days thinking about the Hayman fire and getting my mind into that place.... there were alot of really amazing stories during those days, some sad, some happy....

There are two that really stick out in my mind and while my memory is not as good as it should be, the one I want to share is the heroics of Jim Eagle, the fire chief at Trumbul. After Hayman was over, the fire board fired him and he and his family had to move out of the area... some people felt what he did was foolish and dangerous. Perhaps it was, but if you drive through the town of Trumbul today, you will see the little town was saved from the fire. There is charred forest all around but that little lush valley is still lush, the trees are still standing and the original homes are still there. All because of Jim and his crew.

You see, Jim (fire chief), his wife Kelly (who was the assistant chief) and a number of their volunteer firemen refused the evacuation order. They stayed and fought the fire with all of their might. When I stumbled upon them, they had no electricity, one of their trucks was stuck inside the garage, no electricity to open the door and the door was jammed, they had no water, their food was running low, they needed batteries for flashlights, their communications were nearly shut off and God only remembers what else........ If they left to run to Denver to gather supplies, they wouldn't be allowed back in. Because they were under evacuation order, none of the other fire departments could/would help them.

So, I put out a call for help on the Pinecam live chat.... within minutes we had so much help it wasn't funny. Myself and a couple of others were given the clearance to go to Trumbul. We brought them supplies - food, water, brought them a generator - their's was down, someone came and fixed the garage door (who ended up staying there for a few days helping them). I even brought them a bottle of Jack Daniels and a couple cases of beer (which I got reamed for, later, hahahaha).

Going down 126 to Trumbul was surreal. The fire was burning on both sides of the highway, it was laying low but there were hot spots and destruction and I remember being in awe...it was sad and it was incredible, like out of some post-alien invasion movie at the theater.

While I was there the first time, the ridge to the north of them blew up and they had to run and try and stop it. I watched them work their asses off and stop the run. They came back to the firehouse covered in ash but spirits were high.

Once, I was there when Deckers was burning out of control. They set up a line and saved a couple of houses, at the far end of the valley on the other side of 126, as the fire was trying to run to Trumbul. They felt Deckers could have been saved, too, had there been more help. The Feds hadn't sent in the jumpers yet and they were there all alone....

Those were the most amazing souls I have met in a long time. I got to spend a great deal of time talking with them, hearing their concerns and anger and watching some of my true heroes at work. Over the years I have lost track of Jim and Kelly, but they will live forever in my heart.

Thank you for sharing that amazing story Gringa

Jun 09 18:55:43 <fancy2> We have a Sherriffs deputy sitting on top of Trout Creek pass watching the Plume of smoke
Jun 09 18:55:55 <carpetgal> forecast does not look good for next few days
Jun 09 18:56:00 <-- RFoster has quit (Connection Closed)
Jun 09 18:56:08 <carpetgal> new this one was gonna be bad.
Jun 09 18:56:09 <AC44> No it doesn't CG.......

Jun 09 18:56:38 <carpetgal> fire burning in Park teller and jeffco
Jun 09 18:56:42 <fancy2> yep the cool down we were expecting went to Montana instead
Jun 09 18:56:46 <KurtBoyer> "gusts of 40mph on the ridge"
Jun 09 18:56:46 <pinecamguy> winds will not die down tonight.. red flag warning continues for tomorrow until 10pm..
Jun 09 18:56:50 <mtnvicky> Sure miss our daily rains we used to have........

Jun 09 18:56:56 <pinecamguy> Winds 18 to 28 mph with 40 mph gusts onj the ridges
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Jun 09 18:57:14 <RFoster> I've been afk for a while there doesn't seem to be any decent info on the web or tv, whats the lastest that I might of missed?
Jun 09 18:57:18 <carpetgal> this one is gonna rage all night
Jun 09 18:57:20 <Raptr-BUSY>......

Jun 09 18:57:37 <Raptr> I posted newest know info about fire there
Jun 09 18:57:50 <markb> 7 news said the fire was at 2500 acres
Jun 09 18:57:57 <Guest44608> wild cat cayon is on those's counties lines
Jun 09 18:58:05 <mtnvicky> One of the channels said 5000 acres........

Jun 09 18:58:08 <Raptr> 25,700 acres and counting
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Jun 09 18:58:19 <fancy2> it has got to be more than 2500 acres by now.......

Jun 09 18:58:25 <carpetgal> fire is now more than 25k acres. got a report earlier from a ham guy that all firefighters were safe on both lost valley and flying g
Jun 09 18:58:37 <markb> came inside from looking at the cloud over head
Jun 09 18:58:40 <fancy2> another source just said between 25K and 35K
Jun 09 18:58:50 <Raptr> USFS is reporting 25,700 as of 4 pm
Jun 09 18:58:52 <markb> thought the news said 2500 but 25k sounds about right
Jun 09 18:59:05 <KurtBoyer> "fire still all around them, accountability still code 4" (requiring no additional assistance)
Jun 09 18:59:06 <Kilowatt> usfs says 27500 and counting like raptr said.......

Jun 09 18:59:17 <RicardoGigante> Put out a call for all red card firefighters for tomorrow. Spread the word
Jun 09 18:59:28 <Raptr> got ur 7 and 5 switched kilo ..
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Jun 09 18:59:33 <KurtBoyer> Red cards for Platte Canyon FD
Jun 09 18:59:37 <fancy2> Gov Owens declared Glenwood Springs Top Priority??? why??......

Jun 09 18:59:46 <carpetgal> homes and people
Jun 09 18:59:47 <Kilowatt> oops,, yep,, sory
Jun 09 18:59:47 * pinecone smiles
Jun 09 18:59:51 <RicardoGigante> closer to Aspen!?
Jun 09 18:59:54 <Kilowatt> dyslexic fingers
Jun 09 19:00:00 <carpetgal> :0 richard
Jun 09 19:00:33 <carpetgal> more people and homes are threatened in Glenwood
Jun 09 19:00:42 <fancy2> Seems to me that this fire is getting closer to Woodland, and Colorado Springs? Am I correct?
Jun 09 19:00:47 <KurtBoyer> MAP: has anyone found an online map that has hwy 211?
Jun 09 19:00:54 <AC44> Red Cards - retired firefighters?
Jun 09 19:01:11 <AC44> Not on line
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Jun 09 19:01:24 <KurtBoyer> ok, I'll search for a bit.
Jun 09 19:01:33 <RicardoGigante> The plume is blowing directly over our house, due north. Not to the east like it was earlier......

Jun 09 19:01:46 <fancy2> Wigwam now under mandatory evacuations
Jun 09 19:01:47 <Jellomold> KB- what about topozone??
Jun 09 19:02:02 <KurtBoyer> looking there first Jello.......

Jun 09 19:02:35 <RicardoGigante> The plume is blowing directly over our house, due north. Not to the east like it was earlier
Jun 09 19:02:42 <carpetgal> here comes another big plume.
Jun 09 19:02:47 <Raptr> im lookin for one too.......

Jun 09 19:02:56 <fancy2> ricardo where do you live??
Jun 09 19:03:03 --- dj is now known as Guest36704
Jun 09 19:03:11 <RicardoGigante> they are calling for 40mph winds. Hope it doesn't blow it due north, or we all will be worried
Jun 09 19:03:19 <RicardoGigante> Pine Junction
Jun 09 19:03:21 <Raptr> what town is Highway 211 near?
Jun 09 19:03:30 <woodsidewillie> 211 shows up on microsoft streets
Jun 09 19:03:31 <KurtBoyer> Next purchase with our donations will be some sort of bad ass mapping program.
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Jun 09 19:03:39 <pinecamguy> YES!
Jun 09 19:03:44 <RicardoGigante> si!
Jun 09 19:03:53 <pinecamguy> pictures
Jun 09 19:03:53 <pinecone> well, pinecamguy: to see what people in the chat room look like, double-click on this URL: http://www.hwy285.com/pinepix.html..... .

Jun 09 19:03:59 <carpetgal> fire is definately changing directiomn
Jun 09 19:03:59 <pinecone> it's very likely you're right!
Jun 09 19:04:00 <Kilowatt> Tell me how much it is kurt,,
Jun 09 19:04:11 <KurtBoyer> okdok Kilo:
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Jun 09 19:04:14 <Soozee> Hahaha!!!!! Kanary just left!
Jun 09 19:04:15 <woodsidewillie> FR211 is just west of deckers
Jun 09 19:04:15 <pinecone> that cracks me up
Jun 09 19:04:15 <AC44> Has to be Carpetgal
Jun 09 19:04:26 <Kilowatt> searching like this is a bear!!!
Jun 09 19:04:40 <Soozee> Find out a couple of good programs and let me know what you want - I may be able to get them
Jun 09 19:04:47 <carpetgal> plumes are definately rising from more to the east
Jun 09 19:04:49 <Soozee> that is if you don't mind a bootleg....
Jun 09 19:04:51 <KurtBoyer> thx Soozee.
Jun 09 19:04:53 <Raptr> any1 know a good mapping program to get
Jun 09 19:05:01 <RicardoGigante> Kurt, I didn't know that Bad A** Software made a mapping program!?
Jun 09 19:05:04 <-- mtnmed has quit (QUIT: User exited).......

Jun 09 19:05:41 <KurtBoyer> Ricardo: yes, and it kicks butt.
Jun 09 19:05:42 <fancy2> Per my scanner the fire is heading due North
Jun 09 19:05:51 <Raptr> Well .. i found highway 211 pn MS Flight Simulator but that does not good
Jun 09 19:05:57 <carpetgal> firefighters are talking about a structure loss but they didn't say where
Jun 09 19:06:03 <RicardoGigante> did you see your update pic Kurt?
Jun 09 19:06:04 <woodsidewillie> i have delorme at the office, may run to get it
Jun 09 19:06:08 <AC44> Just eyeballing it is heading due north
Jun 09 19:06:09 <AC44> here
Jun 09 19:06:11 <dillykat> DeLorme's Topo USA give you topos of the entire USA for under $100
Jun 09 19:06:20 <KurtBoyer> no, I will though.
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Jun 09 19:06:50 <tjet500> I am afraid the state needs to think about shuting down the parks this summer unless we get rain. Seams as though some people never eever learn. I also hope the Governor imposeds a minimum 5 year jail sentence for anyone caught with campfires, grills etc.r
Jun 09 19:06:50 <pinecone> where there's a will...
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Jun 09 19:07:23 <fancy2> The cause of the Hayman fire was definetly a campfire
Jun 09 19:07:24 <markb> you know the small towns and businesses that depend on campers.......

Jun 09 19:08:26 <KurtBoyer> Ricardo, saw the updated text. Thanks.
Jun 09 19:08:49 <tjet500> Then if the laws won't protect us I propose the citizens handle the matter by whatever meansd neccesary. I think a guilty individual with an eqtinguished fire and enough injuries to force them to think is way better than hundreds of firefighters at risk, lost homes etc.....sud
Jun 09 19:08:56 <RicardoGigante> don't thank me, thank Soozee! hehehehehe
Jun 09 19:08:56 * pinecone drops his pickled egg
Jun 09 19:08:56 <carpetgal> ricardo, I can't get to your pix page
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Jun 09 19:09:27 <meeb> fire
Jun 09 19:09:27 <pinecone> The smoke you are seeing and smelling is from the Hayman Fire 6 miles NW of lake george. Please read this topic for real-time updates: http://www.pinecam.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=176
Jun 09 19:09:28 <RicardoGigante> which one CG? http://www.hwy285.com/pinepix.html
Jun 09 19:09:47 <tjet500> Those small towns and business's may risk extinction if this situation continues.
Jun 09 19:09:48 <markb> the small towns and businesses will see this as a state problem
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Jun 09 19:10:12 <fancy2> Well I gotta go for now, I will check back later
Jun 09 19:10:12 <markb> the state legisture won't go for shutting down the state so to speak
Jun 09 19:10:12 <pinecone> See ya fancy2......

Jun 09 19:10:14 <meeb> can any body give me a clearer idea how close hayman is to spring creek reanch...
Jun 09 19:10:42 <meeb> the smoke is up over my house at the present time.......

Jun 09 19:10:50 <AC44> Maybe we should put a gate on 285? If no address from here...downthey go...not feasible of course
Jun 09 19:10:51 <markb> it would be the "protect me" syndrome for the towns and busineses
Jun 09 19:11:05 <tjet500> We got back home in Burland an hour ago and the plume has gortten much worse.....
Jun 09 19:11:15 <pinecamguy> Where is Spring Creek Ranch?
Jun 09 19:11:17 <meeb> and the sherrif at buffalo creek said this was hotter and worse than schoonhaven
Jun 09 19:11:22 --> mtnmed (quickchat@=jKueenymmrzn29rkbhw352.dnvr.uswest.net) has joined #pinechat
Jun 09 19:11:33 <meeb> hey pcg you're back
Jun 09 19:11:34 <AC44> MR AC looking...
Jun 09 19:11:41 <AC44> What is it near ?
Jun 09 19:11:42 <carpetgal> it is off 126 PCG
Jun 09 19:11:43 <chuffman> We could do it in Park Co, AC44, no jury would convict us of anything.
Jun 09 19:11:48 <dancinbbear> I agree Ac44
Jun 09 19:11:52 <pinecamguy> Yeah,we left the Coal Seam fire to come up to this.. meeb
Jun 09 19:11:54 <meeb> 126 rt near buffalo creek north fork fire station
Jun 09 19:12:06 <carpetgal> why PCG
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Jun 09 19:12:19 <pinecamguy> somebody asked how close it was to Spring Creek Ranch
Jun 09 19:12:20 <AC44> yes, Chuff and dancin
Jun 09 19:12:40 <carpetgal> everyone is safe at Lost Valley Ranch and things are looking good RFoster
Jun 09 19:12:41 <markb> it is also to bad that nothing will happen to the campers that started this fire
Jun 09 19:12:42 <meeb> me 0 meeb
Jun 09 19:12:56 <AC44> Checking map coming right down 126 - still no Spring Creek
Jun 09 19:12:59 <dillykat> lost one outbuilding at lost valley ranch
Jun 09 19:13:10 <carpetgal> 1 outbuilding has been lost but all others are in tact
Jun 09 19:13:18 <AC44> Hope that is confirm CG ! Great.....

Jun 09 19:13:23 <markb> spring creek ranch is on hwy 67 just past buffalo creek
Jun 09 19:13:27 <carpetgal> 12 Firefighters and 1 engine at lost valley
Jun 09 19:13:29 <woodsidewillie> spring creek ranch is on 126 at the top of the hill as you go out of Buffalo creek
Jun 09 19:13:33 <meeb> ac44 i'll settle for how close is it to buffalo creek
Jun 09 19:13:37 <pinecamguy> oh.. yeah. between buffalo creek and deckers..
Jun 09 19:13:54 <carpetgal> came right from the firefighters at the ranch
Jun 09 19:13:55 <woodsidewillie> kind of across from the turn off to top of the world campground
Jun 09 19:13:59 <Raptr> i ahve comptons 3d world atlas .. let me install and see if i can find aything at all on it
Jun 09 19:14:09 <pinecamguy> My best gestimate would be 5-7 miles away from Spring CReek
Jun 09 19:14:16 <AC44> Great new CG, for you RF

JMC wrote: Thank you for sharing that amazing story Gringa

Yes, I second that. The character of some people really comes to the fore when put under duress. It is sad to read about how they were treated Gringa. So glad you were able to step in and help. Sometimes all it takes is one bright light in an otherwise dark day to lift one's spirits. You did that for them. Thank you.

You are very welcome.... thank you RockDOc...I did all I could do.

There are sooo many pinecammers to thank and sadly I forgotten many of their names. Someone got Sam's Club to donate a pallet of water. People bought bandages and laundry detergent, food, sodas, they bought ANYTHING the firehouse asked for. And the guy who fixed the garage door faded away... he was an amazing young man. After he finally left Trumbul he got Natalie Merchant, who was giving a concert in Red Rocks to donate $25,000 to the area firefighters. Bless his heart. Or at least, that is the amount of money I remember... maybe more or less, but it was a lot.... doesn't matter, it was the spirit of the people who came out of the woodwork to make it all happen.

So many fabulous people who never cared about a receipt for a tax donation - the furtheest thing from their minds... they just wanted to help.

I have another story about Lake George but I do think DSV has that story in their archives.. IF they do, Becky or JF could you copy and paste it here? I wasn't as involved in that project other then to make the inital calls to Fred Waggener and post the needs on Pinecam. I can't remember all the amazing details. I can give a jist of what happened but I would prefer the story that was written right after everything happened be shared.

I believe this is what Gringa was asking for, from the DSV archives:

"Lake George - A Call To Action "
by Susan Lamphear

Hayman fire in the summer of 2002 started far away from the Conifer/Bailey area. We all listened with interest to what was going on but not terribly concerned, after all, the fire wasn’t threatening us!

Then day two of the fire – it moved 21 miles in one night. Fires usually “lie” down at night and slow their advance, but Hayman didn’t. It was fast approaching us from the south – burning up Hwy 126 and trying to move northeast by Long Scraggy, threatening very populated areas of Conifer, Buffalo Creek and Pine.

We sprung into action….started searching for fire maps, keeping our scanners on day and night. We reported to the folks on a local chat room the progress of the fire.

I woke up day three with a serious gut feeling that perhaps some of our volunteer fire departments were in trouble. After sharing that with others, various folks in our network of volunteers started contacting the individual Fire Departments and I called Lake George myself. At first, chief “Dutch” thought that they didn’t need much help – they were busy fighting the fire that was advancing upon the town. They were fine, they had food and all…I said, tell me, it there ANYTHING that you need? Finally, he mentioned that their starter was out in their water tanker. They were shut down and couldn’t dump water on the fire. Hmmmm, maybe we could help! Oh, and BTW he said that they sure could use a refrigerator. They had a lot of supplies and no way to keep perishables cool.

So, we went into action! The word went out in our mountain community. A person from Broomfield donated a refrigerator (nicer than the one in my own house, BTW!!!!) and drove it all the way from Broomfield to Lake George that very night. Stopping in Conifer, on the way to Lake George, he picked up some supplies that had been donated by our community (leather gloves, nuskin for burns, Band-Aids and snacks) and another volunteer to help and headed out.

At the same time, a mechanic that owns his own shop in town and lives in the Conifer area heard the call for help. He dropped everything and went to Lake George. When he arrived he found a shot starter on a very obsolete piece of fire equipment. Oh my, what now?!?! He called his auto parts supplier in Denver and no, sorry, we don’t stock that sort of thing, but let’s see what we can do….. the search was on for the part.

In the mean time, the fire was advancing on Lake George. The folks in town dug up their town park to create a firebreak – hopefully to save the town. The water tanker was sitting in the garage unable to start. Sadness and a sense of helplessness filled the air. The smoke of the fire surrounded the entire town and flames could be seen popping through the smoke. It was an eerie site – almost like a dark thunderstorm hovering and advancing at the same time. Lightening bolts could be seen striking the ground. Fires create their own weather, and what an awesome site this was!



A call came in – the part has been located in Kansas! So, Jim headed to Denver, as a runner from Kansas brought the part to The NAPA. Everyone knew the seriousness of the situation and fell into motion. The part arrived just shortly after Jim arrived. Jim grabbed the part and headed back..

As he arrived in Lake George it was getting late in the afternoon. The town was dark with smoke, almost impossible to see more than a half-mile even though the weather was clear. He went to work on the old water tanker – loosing bolts, working like a mad man……as soon as the last bolt was tightened on the tanker, the firemen started the engine and rolled! Tears of joy were flowing and the tanker was able to do its job. In less than 8 hours from the time we found out there was a problem it was solved!

As the tanker rolled, the refrigerator and supplies arrived. They unloaded it and the Red Cross had just arrived with supplies. So, as we had found many, many times during the fire “Dutch” graciously suggested that the Florrisant fire and rescue dept was down the road and that they are always in need. Maybe we could take the extra supplies there and share with them. Even though they were not in Dutch’s county, they needed help. So, off our volunteers went to Florrisant with the EXTRA refrigerator (2 were donated) and the extra supplies. Once again, the gratitude of the volunteers at the station was overwhelming. They were working on a shoestring with fire advancing from all directions. All of the items were desperately needed.

At the end of a long and tiring day, a sense of pride existed in all that participated. During these times of crisis we all feel so helpless. Doing a small act of kindness is what it is all about! Helping those that help us, what greater gift can you bring to the table?

Soozee