Category Archives: Colorado Weather

Google and DigitalGlobe bring satellite view of Waldo Canyon Fire devastation

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.

Infrared satellite imagery from DigitalGlobe shows the devastation in a Colorado Springs neighborhood following the Waldo Canyon Fire. Image (c) 2012 DigitalGlobe, Inc.


President Barack Obama tours devastation of Colorado wildfires

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. Air Force activates entire fleet of C-130 firefighting aircraft

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.


Another Colorado wildfire: Pine Ridge Fire forces evacuations, closes highway

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.


Waldo Canyon Fire toll climbs: 1 dead, 1 missing, 346 homes destroyed

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

Smoke from the Waldo Canyon fire rises above evacuated homes, threatened by the fire, in Colorado Springs, Colorado June 28, 2012. Photo credit:  Getty Images


As wildfires rage, questions arise about lack of air tankers to fight the flames

Summer is barely a week old and yet hundreds of thousands of acres in the West have burned causing tens of millions of dollars in damage. As Colorado and New Mexico cope with record-setting disasters, many are asking questions about the lack of a competent air tanker fleet after a decade of decline.  Read more on Examiner.com about why President Barack Obama may face tough questions when he comes to Colorado tomorrow.

A U.S. Forest Service aircraft breaks away as a Modular Airborne Firefighting System-equipped C-130 begins dropping retardant on the Waldo Canyon fire. Photo credit:  U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher

Photos capture Waldo Canyon Fire threat to U.S. Air Force Academy

Tuesday afternoon the Waldo Canyon Fire west of Colorado Springs exploded with extraordinary ferocity.  The blaze moved toward the Air Force Academy prompting the base to evacuate some personnel.

The scene that evening was an eerie one as the sky was darkened by the smoke and the setting sun provided an orange cast.  Click here to view a slideshow on Examiner.com of some amazing photos from the academy as the flames encroached.

A rapidly spreading smoke cloud surrounds the U.S. Air Force Academy's T-38 in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 26, 2012.  Click the image to view a slideshow of the fire near the academy. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Mike Kaplan)
A rapidly spreading smoke cloud surrounds the U.S. Air Force Academy's T-38 in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 26, 2012. Click the image to view a slideshow of the fire near the academy. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Mike Kaplan)

U.S. military deploys hot shot crew to help battle Colorado wildfires

The only Department of Defense wildfire fighting team is being deployed to aid in the battle against wildfires ravaging Colorado. The hot shot crew from Vandenberg Air Force Base is expected to be on the lines of the Waldo Canyon Fire near the Air Force Academy. Read the rest of this story on Examiner.com and check out the amazing slideshow of the fire approaching the academy.