Monday, September 6, 2010

Fire In Boulder, CO: Fourmile Canyon

     As of 10am this morning a wild fire was reported in Fourmile Canyon in Boulder County, CO.  This one is worse than the Olde Stage fire according to residents.  Containing it would be easy and quick if it wasn't for the winds that have been relentless all day.  Thanks to the wind the fire keeps growing and has currently destroyed around 3,000 acres and counting, but only a few homes.  Thank God for that.
     They say that it could take days to contain this blaze and in my opinion that is a long time.  I'm not saying I could do any better, but if 3,000 acres are already incenerated that means that 10,000 acres of destroyed land, trees, nature and houses is quite probable.  It was also reported that the county's emergency evacuation system wasn't working properly.  A fire truck even burned in this debacle, ironic.  What are these people doing in these mountains?  As a Mountaineer, Snowboarder, and Environmentalist this is unacceptable.
     We have to find a better way to fight these fires.  I commend the people that are out there and my heart is with them, but they don't have the tools they need to get the job done timely.  Whoever is in charge of doing research and implementing tactics need to step their game up.  Over the past few years, these fires pop up more and more; we have to find a way to prevent this.
     Now I know, how is this going to affect my season you ask.  It's O.K. you are not insensative, it was my first thought.  So far it doesn't look like this should affecting riding in Boulder County too much.  Sugarloaf is closest and there is no news that anything there has been affected.  They say the city limits of Boulder are safe as well.
     The Daily Camera has been doing a great job covering the events.  Take a look at their report and pictures here.