Here's the latest Denver Post update on the Hayman Fire. It's an AP round-up, so don't expect anything special.
Here, however, is a collection of photos of the fire. I can't tell you how much worse it is in person. Looking north from here, all you see is smoke and haze -- and the fire is 40 miles away.
UPDATE: A reader send me this link to the Colorado Springs Gazette, with pictures of the view from here.
I don't think we ever had anything as bad as this when I lived in San Diego or, later, while I've lived in the Bay Area. But we've had some pretty bad fires. I've driven through dense smoke, seen the mid-day sun turn red (if you could even see it), etc. People who live Back East, where this is uncommon, probably can't imagine the surreal and frightening nature of it all.
Stay safe.
The Gazette has a gallery of photos taken by its readers here:
http://www.gazette.com/firepublic/
The first photo in the lineup is taken from the springs looking northwest, It's spooky as hell.
We get lots of fires down here in Florida. Thanks to the gods we've had a soggy week or two so far, though the weather people tell us we are still in a drought. The lake beds are still below normal. Even so, I'd send this rain over there if I could. (Eh, rain makes people drive like idiots here anyway. Go, rain! Go to Colorado and do some good!)
Things are getting scary down here in Durango (Missionary Ridge fire).They are calling it the the Big Eating Machine.As it over ran Vallecito Lake yesterday it developed tornadic winds,500 ft. flames,overturning vehicles and uprooting flaming trees...unbelievable.One more thing...hats off to the firefighters who have come to our town to fight this fire,these guys put their lives on the line to save homes that belong to strangers.they don't come any better.This is a heartfelt "thank you" from Durango!
