Picnic Rock 95% contained. (As of Wednesday.)

Officials are anticipating 100% containment by Wednesday.

8,900 acres have burned, costing $1.9M. Residents are being allowed to return to their homes. 400 firefighters are still fighting the blaze, with support from five engine crews. For now, only the south side of the fire will be air-patrolled.

Scattered rain helped a little, but it certainly wasn't five days of precipitation as previously forecast. The area is supposed to see more scattered moisture over the next day or two. I know I'm not the only person with fingers crossed.

The scary thing? This one fire has depleted the Emergency Fire Fund set up by several counties in Colorado to fight emergent wildfires. That means that as the summer (and fire season) progresses, counties like mine will have to rely on the state for emergency funds to combat wildfires. There are plans to ask FEMA to reimburse the county-based fund, however, and they have said that they will help, with some very reasonable caveats.

I know I'm repetitious: but all this because of one person.

The other thing that saddens and frustrates me? There are still people out there who won't learn from this. Someone else will carelessly burn in the open. Others will fail to observe fire bans, and then fail to put out their campfire properly. Someone else is going to flick a cigarette butt or roach out the window while they careen down a mountain road. So on, so forth; ad nauseum. Do people ever learn? Sometimes it seems like the uncaring folks are outnumbering those of us who really love this land.

WEDNESDAY UPDATE:
95% contained.

Six firefighters have been injured so far. Thankfully, the most recent injuries were quickly treated. Management of the fire is expected to be turned back over to local crews this morning.

A few structures have been lost, including a house which was recently placed on the market. There is an address on the site linked above, if interested parties would like to help out the couple in question.

Crews anticipate 100% containment sometime today, if all continues to go well. Remember, containment merely means that the fire isn't creeping outward any longer. Inside the perimeter, it may continue to smolder for days or weeks to come. Fire crews will be around until it's out.

At least things are controlled enough that conservationists and wildlife experts can begin to talk about erosion control to keep sediment and ash from washing intot he North Fork of the Poudre River. Those waters ultimately make their way to Seaman Reservoir, which serves Greeley.

There's been no mention whether the person who started all this is to be charged with anything. I don't think I need to assert my opinion on the matter.

One more thing, and then I promise not to talk about this again for a while:
Obey the rules!


Larimer County enacted fire restrictions Tuesday. The measure bans open cooking and campfires; smoking outside of vehicles, buildings or a 3-foot-diameter space cleared of flammable debris; and the use of torches with open flames. Here's what is allowed under the ban:

*Fires in camp stoves or grills, fueled by bottled gas or pressurized liquid, and specifically designed for cooking or heating purposes.

*Fires in permanently constructed stationary masonry or metal fireplaces specifically designed for combustion.

*Fires in large, commercially operated wood- and/or charcoal-fired grills designed for cooking.

Fireworks banned

Fireworks include any article, device or substance prepared for the primary purpose of producing a visual or auditory sensation by combustion, explosion, or detonation.

Fireworks do not include toy caps; highway flares and other emergency signal devices; educational rockets; and fireworks used for research.
For more information

www.larimer.org/policies/fireworks.htm

Even though Nature always prevails, the hills up there will be scarred for years to come. That's hurtful.

The tragedy is that people were injured, and yet others lost property thanks to this.

It will be a crime if the guilty party isn't charged with something.

Just my opinion -- but what else is a blog for?

posted by Linda on April 6, 2004 05:12 PM

» Who Tends the Fires links with: The DailySpam!&trade - The unfair and imbalanced "News" source...
Comments

Model rockets cause a few fires every year because people don't follow the directions included in every single package of motors and each kit. Never launch a rocket unless you can clear flamables from around the pad, and use a blast deflector to keep the flame exhaust from hitting the ground. The little motors burn less than two seconds, so the lift off is the only part that can really cause a fire.

Do it right, and they're absolutely safe. Doesn't hurt to keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher handy too.

Posted by: Ted at April 7, 2004 04:50 PM