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Tag: Black Forest Fire

Waldo Canyon Fire survivors help survivors of Black Forest Fire

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , ,

A tweet from KKTV in Colorado Springs:


That is the first time I have heard of this happening — survivors from a massive, very destructive wildfire less than a year before hold a picnic for survivors of another even more destructive wildfire that occurred just a few miles away.

The Black Forest Fire just north of Colorado Springs has destroyed approximately 480 structures. The Waldo Canyon Fire less than a year earlier wiped out 347 homes in Colorado Springs.

This is a great thing that the Waldo Canyon survivors are doing.

Our most current information about the Black Forest Fire is HERE.

Photos from the Black Forest Fire

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , , 10 Comments on Photos from the Black Forest Fire

These photos were taken at the Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs, Colorado by Bill Gabbert, June 14 and 15, 2013. More information about the fire can be found HERE.

Black Forest Fire
Very small fire hose, called “baby hose” by firefighters, just does not look right being pumped by a large Type 1 engine from the Denver Fire Department during mop up on the Black Forest Fire. Can you find it in the photo?
Black Forest Fire
Firefighters from Denver FD Engine 24 cut down a hazardous tree. The operation was used as a training opportunity.
Black Forest Fire
Firefighters from Denver FD Engine 24 discuss the cut on the tree stump after felling a hazardous tree. The trainee later cut the stump much closer to the ground. The operation was used as a training opportunity.
Black Forest Fire
Firefighters from Pueblo Engine 7 work with a dozer to put out a deep-seated fire in wood chips and sawdust on the Black Forest Fire.
Black Forest Fire Incident Commander and Deputy Incident Commander
Black Forest Fire Incident Commander Rich Harvey (L) and Deputy Incident Commander Paul Broyles (R)
Black Forest Fire
The Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota is flown by the Army and the Army National Guard.

Black Forest ICP
Continue reading “Photos from the Black Forest Fire”

Black Forest Fire update: 473 structures burned

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , ,
Sleeping Area at Black Forest Fire
Sleeping Area at Black Forest Fire, Photo by Bill Gabbert

While cooler weather and even a little rain helped firefighters make progress on the Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs Friday, the reported number of structures destroyed increased to 473. Of those, 419 are homes. An additional  17 structures had partial damage. The official list of affected structures is at the El Paso Sheriff’s web site.

The most current information about the Black Forest Fire is in our main article about the fire.

Colorado Springs FD protects a structure on the Black Forest Fire

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , 14 Comments on Colorado Springs FD protects a structure on the Black Forest Fire

Yesterday we posted two videos produced by the Department of Defense showing a wildland firefighter’s view from his helmet camera while fighting the Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs, and another that featured the military’s participation in the firefighting effort on the Fire.

Now we have another, this time produced by the Colorado Springs Fire Department which gives the viewer a close-up look at how one of their engine crews protected a residence as the fire approached. The five-minute video summarizes what the crew did over a two-hour period to keep the house from burning, which was made more difficult by a ring of mulch the homeowner had carefully placed around the house. If you have never fought a wildland fire or been engaged in structure protection as a fire spread toward the building, you will be impressed by what it can look like from a firefighter’s point of view.

Congratulations to the Colorado Springs Fire Department for putting this video together.

Black Forest Fire, before and after

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , , 2 Comments on Black Forest Fire, before and after
Black Forest Fire, Denver Post, before-after
Black Forest Fire, Denver Post, before-after (this is an example, and will not slide back and forth)

The Denver Post has put together some before and after photos of the area where the Black Forest Fire is burning near Colorado Springs, CO. The before photos were harvested from Google Earth, and the after photos were taken within the last day or two. After you go to the site (don’t try it on the sample above), with your mouse, grab the slider and move it back and forth. The photos don’t always line up, but it’s a good way to see where crown fires took out all of the trees, and to get an idea of how much fuel (vegetation) was close to the structures.

 

Thanks go out to Dick

Aerial firefighting on the Black Forest Fire

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags , , , , , 10 Comments on Aerial firefighting on the Black Forest Fire
Blackhawk
Blackhawk, June 12, 2013, Photo by Air Force Capt. Darin Overstreet

The military has been supplying numerous photos and some videos of their firefighting activities on the Black Forest Fire. Helicopters from the Colorado National Guard and Fort Carson as well as C-130 MAFFS air tankers are assisting firefighters on the ground. Here are seven photos of aircraft taken on June 12 by military personnel. The DC-10 is not military, but is working under a contract with the U. S. Forest Service.

Blackhawk dipping
Blackhawk dipping, June 12, 2013, Photo by Air Force Capt. Darin Overstreet
Blackhawk, dipping up to 500 gallons
Blackhawk, dipping up to 500 gallons, June 12, 2013,, Photo by Air Force Capt. Darin Overstreet

Continue reading “Aerial firefighting on the Black Forest Fire”