The plumes are frightening as the fire finds fresh fuel and winds to fan it. The fire has grown so far north and south that my widest setting on my big lens no longer covers the fire zone.
The second day of the Waldo Canyon fire saw it grow in all proportions. By the numbers:
3600 acres burned
13,542 people evacuated
0% contained
No structures or people hurt
Giant attempts at containment, but only lucky wind direction changes have made any difference.
The big announcements today:
U.S. Hwy 24 closed in both directions from 31st St. to Crystola
Manitou Springs 6000 residents evacuated as well as Crystal Park, Chipita Park, Green Mountain Falls, Cascade and Cedar Ridge.
At least twice the flames crested the ridge behind Cedar Ridge only to change direction because of the wind, slurry bombers and continuous 400 gallon water drops by helicopter. Those folks owe the firefighting teams BIG TIME!
By end of day, Manitou residents were allowed back in, but Woodland Park was on standby for evacuation. Tomorrow we get two more tankers and the Feds take over administration.
Two other fires; one at Elbert and another at Rainbow Falls broke out.