Bluebell Fire, Colorado.

[WØTKX]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/foothills/firefighters-are-responding-to-a-fire-burning-in-the-evergreen-area

I was at work, Betts was shopping. We are in the level 3 evacuation area, and can't go home yet. Neighbors found the dog, the cats are missing. The red area shows the fire, with arrows showing the direction.

The blue circle is home. We're homeless for a day or so...

Yikes! Too Close!

9763

[N2NH]

Good luck. Hope it all turns out okay and they find the cats. Most important is that you are safe.

[K7SGJ]

Hope they get it out or redirected. Keep us posted and what's going on. Good luck

[KG4CGC]

Hope you get everything back together soon and I really hope the cats are OK.

[WØTKX]

Thanks everyone. The fire spread to 25-30 acres, but is moving away from our place.

We are cleared to go home tonight as of about 8:30 PM MDT. The situation could change at any time, so we will take the critters elsewhere tomorrow. And the important papers.

Wowsers.

[N2CHX]

Shit! I am glad you're OK and hope it doesn't turn for the worse. Hope the kitties are OK too.

[WØTKX]

The information from the Jefferson County Sheriff's department was in error. Betts just called, and they turned her back. Can't go home tonight. Sigh.

[N2CHX]

The information from the Jefferson County Sheriff's department was in error. Betts just called, and they turned her back. Can't go home tonight. Sigh.

That sucks. I hope everything turns out OK.

[PA5COR]

Nothing worse as not being able to go home and not knowing what happens to it.
I'll hope things work out for the better for you both, keeping my fngers crossed here...

[VK3ZL]

Sorry you are in that situation...However listen and cooperate with the authorities and all will turn out ok..We had a few tragedy's here in bushfires 4 years ago where people defied the advice from the fire authorities only to get caught and killed by wildfire...Those sort of people put other's lives in danger, police and firefighters etc..

Good luck..Bob..VK3ZL..

[N8YX]

Your area still having a problem with pine beetles, Dave?

I hope you guys are (and remain) safe.

[KC2UGV]

Thoughts are with you guys right now... Hopefully, tomorrow night, you'll be back in your own beds.

[WØTKX]

The weather cooperated over night. The fire is not officially contained yet, they are working on it. Down to 15 acres from 35, and they are building a 200 foot wide perimeter around it. I called into work, and have the time off to do what needs to be done. Betts does not have that option.

Winds are supposed to pick up, and blow in a bad direction, but it's a lot cooler and we may have rain. These fire fighters kick ass!

Pine beetle kill is a problem. 90% of the dead trees are gone from our property, and we live on a north facing slope, so it's wetter and colder. The house is about 2/3 clear around it, but it's not enough for true defensible space. Gonna be a lumberjack soon. :whistle:

[W3WN]

Tell me... did you always want to be... a lumberjack?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZa26_esLBE

[WØTKX]

Oh, you've seen me hanging out in bars? :shifty:

[N2NH]

I must be getting dyslexic in my old age. I see that title "Bluebell Fire, Colorado. (https://forums.hamisland.net/showthread.php/25841-Bluebell-Fire-Colorado)" and I see an 'a' where that second 'e' is...

[WØTKX]

That's your own achy breaky parts...

I'm hanging out at the famous Little Bear in Evergreen, having a buffalo mushroom Swiss burger.

Betts and I made an appointment for a Sheriff escort to the house for a quick 15 minute visit for clothes meds, and got the kitties fed and inside. Fire is now controlled, not yet contained, but close. Strong possibility of sleeping at home tonight. Gawd it was good too see our home in good shape. Whew.

[N2CHX]

I'm so glad you all and your house is OK. Here's to sleeping in your own bed tonight!

[WØTKX]

Blue Bell Fire Evening Update 6/4/13 (http://jeffcosheriff.blogspot.com/2013/06/blue-bell-fire-evening-update-6413.html)

All evacuation areas and road restrictions will be lifted as of 8 PM tonight.

Crews have been very active on the fire lines today. A containment line 100 feet wide is now in place around the fire perimeter. The anticipated cold front that had been a concern has already arrived. The front has not produced the winds that were anticipated and it is now aiding in the cooling of the fire. Tonight the fire area will have a relative humidity of 85-95%. By the time this post is published power will be restored to the entire area.

Based on this information all evacuations and road restrictions will be lifted as of 8 PM. Residents are asked to use use care and caution as they reenter the area. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office will have deputies in the area to help facilitate the safe and orderly return to the region.

Today the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, along with Evergreen Fire, conducted a cause and origin investigation. The investigative team has determined that a 48 foot tree came into contact with two to three power lines. The tree acted as a ground wire. This caused a fire to burn at the base of the tree. The ending result was a two foot hole that was burned into the ground. The burned area at the base of the tree ignited the ground fire which became the Blue Bell Fire. The team's official report will be available for release in a few weeks.

The estimated size of the fire has been revised down to approximately 10 acres.

The current cost estimate for the fire fighting efforts is $80,000.

At 8 PM the Jefferson County Incident Management Team will pass the fire fighting efforts back to Evergreen Fire.

:monkeydance:

[PA5COR]

Good news for you Guy's congrats.

[WØTKX]

So, I'm still homeless for a few more hours. Outside of a local Starbucks, surfin' the wifi. ;)

[N2NH]

So, I'm still homeless for a few more hours. Outside of a local Starbucks, surfin' the wifi. ;)

Good luck. Hope you are back in bed (your own) soon.

[KG4CGC]

Glad to hear the kitties are OK.