After weeks of horrific wildfires, some parts of the West are enjoying an early arrival of monsoonal rains to help dampen fire danger. In the aftermath of the deadly blazes, questions are being raised as to why some of the nation’s most powerful aerial firefighting assets sat on runways while homes and property were destroyed. Read the rest of this story on Examiner.com
When the Waldo Canyon Fire was first reported on Saturday, June 23rd, reaction by area fire agencies was swift and for a time it appeared to be well in hand. The following Tuesday the blaze let loose with its full wrath however and a new video released by the Colorado Springs Fire Department shows the beast of a blaze as it tore through parts of the city. Read the rest of this story and watch the amazing video on Examiner.com.
Wildfires are dangerous in and of themselves and fighting them is even more hazardous, a deadly reminder of which occurred Sunday night. A North Carolina Air National Guard C130 Hercules fighting a fire in South Dakota crashed while making a retardant drop killing at least three crew members. Read the rest of this story on Examiner.com.
In only a week the Waldo Canyon Fire has scorched 17,000 acres and destroyed nearly 350 homes near Colorado Springs, Colorado. While thousands of residents remain evacuated, Google and DigitalGlobe have released satellite imagery providing a bird’s eye view of the devastation. Read the rest of this story on Examiner.com. Be sure to check out the stunning before and after photos in the slideshow.
As the sun rises on the Waldo Canyon Fire, officials discussed their optimism for the battle against the blaze but also warned that today was a “big test day.” The blaze continues to burn largely uncontained but resources are pouring in from across the nation. Read the rest of this story on Examiner.com
With a charred landscape and the rubble of homes serving as a backdrop, President Barack Obama visited Colorado today. His tour of an area still battling an uncontrolled wildfire provided the president an opportunity to voice his support for a crucial swing state as he fears up for his reelection. Read about the president had to say during his visit on Examiner.com. Be sure to check out the video at the link – absolutely amazing.
U.S. Northern Command has announced that it was activating all eight of its C-130 Hercules firefighting aircraft to battlewildfires across the western United States. The move brings to bear the aircraft’s significant capability in what has been a deadly fire season. Read the rest of this story on Examiner.com – be sure to check out the video here too.
Just as firefighters finally seemed to be gaining ground on massive fires along the Colorado Front Range, a new fire has erupted on the state’s Western Slope. The Pine Ridge Fire in De Beque Canyon has forced some area residents to evacuate and temporarily closed Interstate 70. Read the rest of this story on Examiner.com and be sure to check out the amazing photos.
As firefighters continue to battle a large wildfire near Colorado Springs, the extent of destruction caused by the fire is now being realized. While assessments will continue in the coming days, it is now known that at least one person has been killed and nearly 350 homes destroyed. Get the latest on the fire and view new pictures of the blaze on Examiner.com
A video posted to YouTube by professional trainers based in Colorado Springs shows the apparent early stages of the Waldo Canyon Fire on Saturday, June 23. Following the timeline in the video, it clearly shows the fire starting in the early afternoon and quickly becoming an inferno. Read more about the harrowing escape and watch the video on Examiner.com
