A four-month old black bear cub rescued from a raging wildfire in Idaho has achieved celebrity status, much as another famous bear cub did more than 60 years ago. Boo Boo’s recovery from second degree burns moved on to a new stage this week as the Idaho Humane Society takes over its care.
It is great to have a feel good story from the devastation of this year’s wildfires. Read the rest of this story on Examiner.com and check out the pictures of Boo Boo – he looks pretty cute!
The devastating 2012 wildfire season continues to expand and shift west as fires rage out of control in the northwestern United States. In northern California tinder dry conditions have allowed fires to grow quickly and prompted thousands to evacuate in recent days. Read the rest of this story on Examiner.com including photos and satellite imagery.
The Mile High City found itself in a bit of a haze yesterday that continues into today as smoke from wildfires to Colorado’s northwest moves into the state. Dozens of fires are burning across the region and while none have been as devastating as those seen in recent months, their effects are being felt far and wide. Read the rest of this story and view satellite imagery of the smoke plume on Examiner.com.
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
The Waldo Canyon Fire near Colorado Springs became a raging inferno and one of the most disastrous in Colorado history. New satellite imagery released by NASA shows the massive area burned by the blaze and provides perspective as to just how close it came to the state’s second largest city.
Officials are hoping to announce 100% containment of the fire later today. The blaze has burned 18,247 acres, the 11th largest in Colorado history. More notably however the blaze claimed two lives and destroyed 346 homes making it the most destructive wildfire in the state’s history.
NASA’s Terra satellite flew over the burn area on July 4th and false color imaging provides a clear view of the burn area of the fire. One can easily see where the fire entered the Mountain Shadows neighborhood and how close it came to the Air Force Academy and more populous areas of Colorado Springs.
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From NASA:
The Waldo Canyon Fire was first reported on June 23, 2012, burning in Pike National Forest, three miles (5 kilometers) west of Colorado Springs. Fueled by extremely dry conditions and strong winds, it had burned 18,247 acres (74 square kilometers) by July 5. The blaze severely damaged or destroyed 346 homes, making it the most destructive fire in Colorado history. Mountain Shadows, a neighborhood northwest of the Colorado Springs city center, experienced some of the most severe damage. According to an analysis conducted by the Denver Post, the combined value of the homes that burned to the ground in the neighborhood was at least $110 million.
The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on the Terra satellite acquired this view of the burn scar on July 4, 2012, when the fire was still burning but was 90 percent contained. Vegetation-covered land is red in the false-color image, which includes both visible and infrared light. Patches of unburned forest are bright red, in contrast with areas where flecks of light brown indicate some burning. The darkest brown areas are the most severely burned. Buildings, roads, and other developed areas appear light gray and white. The bright red patches of vegetation near Colorado Springs are golf courses, parks, or other irrigated land.
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.
