Everyone can watch it live here:
http://www.krdo.com/news/WATCH-LIVE-KRDO-NewsChannel-13/-/417220/14776454/-/12eydmxz/-/index.html

One of the saddest things I've ever witnessed in my life. I stood on a hill at around 3:30 p.m. local time and watched the fire crest over the hill and head down into the area where it is now raging. Homes are now going up in flames. The United States Air Force Academy is at pre-evacuation stage. Kylah's area was ordered to evacuate several hours ago.

(Guess I should mention I live in Colorado Springs, for those who may not know.)

Kylah evacuated her house! The fire is out of control!!!

"The U.S. Air Force Academy is under a pre-evacuation notice as of 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. The Pine Valley housing area on USAFA is under a mandatory evacuation notice."

Well, as of 7:00 p.m. MANDATORY Air Force Academy evacuation and confirmed 35 homes burning.

She's holding up like a champ!

Sending prayers her way....

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Originally posted by Indigo

Well, as of 7:00 p.m. MANDATORY Air Force Academy evacuation and confirmed 35 homes burning.

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thats sad.

aww was looking at the link and they are showing a house on fire :(

The in-studio crew at local news channel KRDO, link above, is in tears. It was just confirmed that a beloved Colorado Springs landmark is gone - the Flying W Ranch. http://www.flyingw.com/

I handled hurricanes Lily, Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike - and their aftermath. But fires? Never. That's one force of nature I don't care to tangle with. It is way too unpredictable. I saw the aftermath of several fires in Arizona and southwest Texas last year. Heartbreaking. I pray that everyone gets out alive. Material things can be replaced; lives can't. Please keep us posted.

Irene

Praying for you and your family, Kylah, and all others in it's path. Hoping they can catch the idiot that started all of this!

Catman, are you in its path, too?!

Whew! The press conference happening right now is UGLY!

I don't know that anyone in Colorado Springs is going to sleep tonight. This fire is - WOW!

wow catman

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Originally posted by PrimoWorks

Catman, are you in its path, too?!

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No. I live 2 blocks south of Colorado Springs and about 4 miles east of the foothills.

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Originally posted by Catman

quote:

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Originally posted by DoubleBogey

It almost looks like it's already covered in ashes, is it? Any new news? Did the wind hold off?

I was reading on MSNBC and they are still calling them all wildfires but on a positive note - the governor was quoted saying that half of the nations fire fighting resources are in CO now. I am so glad that they have rallied to help.

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There are 2 huge military planes (c-130's-MAFFS) thats sole purpose is to put out fires just sitting at Peterson Air Force Base(around 8-10 miles from the fire), waiting for our town to "exhaust all of our resources"! At the same time, they are sending 2 more from Wyoming.This fire is on National Forest property and is in between Fort Carson and the United States Air Force Academy...What are they waiting for? They said that they will "wait" to rally until tomorrow, hopefully no one will die and no houses burn down.WTF?

http://www.krdo.com/news/MAFFS-to-help-fight-Colo-wildfires/-/417220/15223482/-/126f6gpz/-/index.html

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These fire fighting planes are STATIONED here, thank you red tape!

I have been watching the live news cast for a while now - thank you Indigo for posting, sincerely. It did get ugly for a while but I bet emotions are high. I like that officer or whatever she is....she kept it as calm as she could there.

Those images of the fire and the houses ....it's just tragic. Kylah's facebook post just about made me cry. Shortly before the "official" evacuation she said they were leaving the house as there was smoke coming in the house.

I just can't imagine. Her latest post was talking about how she was watching the edge of her town burning from a family member's house. She also mentioned that a lot of people were not leaving yet and it was worrying her that there could be lives lost. It just breaks my heart for everyone and I know that they are with heavy hearts tonight for many reasons.

It's 1 million % tragic.

It will be another act of God if we have a home tomorrow. I'm sick.

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Originally posted by kyro298

It will be another act of God if we have a home tomorrow. I'm sick.

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It's night time now,I don't think it will spread that far.

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Originally posted by kyro298

It will be another act of God if we have a home tomorrow. I'm sick.

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I'm so sorry. I know how you feel. I've wondered several times whether I'd have a home after hurricane evacs. Just know that God never gives you more than you can endure - even when you think His confidence is misplaced.

When it's all over, you'll be surprised at how much people really care about you and yours and how fast they'll help you rebuild your life. So long as you stay safe, there's a life to get back to.

Irene

quote:

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Originally posted by Catman

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Originally posted by PrimoWorks

Catman, are you in its path, too?!

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No. I live 2 blocks south of Colorado Springs and about 4 miles east of the foothills.

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Um, that's not particularly far. :(

I just... I'm out of words.

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Originally posted by Catman

quote:

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Originally posted by kyro298

It will be another act of God if we have a home tomorrow. I'm sick.

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It's night time now,I don't think it will spread that far.

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It's already over there. I know we will be ok but losing my home hits hard temporarily, especially watching it. My son is crying, my daughter doesn't even know yet...this all happened since she left at 3:30 this afternoon. I'm not taking it like a champ anymore. Believe me.

We're supposed to be going out to the Springs the second week of July...wonder how that's going to work now. Praying for you Kylah and your family

They are stressing now that people are refusing to leave their homes. OMG! They are also talking about the deers, etc. that are disoriented and trying to get away.

I'm so sorry to hear about this Kylah. I don't even know what to think. I've seen the pictures of how rapidly it's moving and can't even fathom how devastating it must feel to watch your area burn. I've never been a big "prayer", but trust me, I will be praying for you, your family, and all the others that are being affected by this fire.

Kylah...I can tell you now I would not be taking it like a champ. I would be bumbling like an idiot. Knowing that the most important piece - your family safe - is accomplished is a victory for sure!

Material or not, your home in danger right now HAS to be heartbreaking. I can't imagine not being able to do anything to try to stop it, I know it has to be a helpless and horrid time for you. It sounds like you have a vantage point to view that area. If the fire crosses "the line", I would not watch if I were you. I am going to pray hard that it won't. I am hoping that this night time slowing will help allow firefighters to get those parameters put back in check.

The bottom line Kylah - It would be hard for anyone to hold it together during such a time. My heart is breaking for all of you. I don't know what to say to make any of it better except that I truly do hope this stops soon. It's just horrible.

Indigo - I just noticed that you are in Colorado Springs. Are you guys evacuated? I am assuming you are safe since you are posting (lol) but realized I didn't ask that earlier. Is your neighborhood safe? I am so very sorry that you are going through this too!

Sending my prayers your way .. to everyone affected.:( I wish I could do more. I lost a house to a fire when I was a child.. its not easy...

I know it's still early in CO but I stayed up most of the night watching the live news feed but I can't tell what area is what since i dont live there. Scott, can you tell if the miracle we were hoping for happened last night?

Just posted this on my FB status and I mean it - you guys have an awesome community. Short of the arson...I have not heard of one report of crime. We all know how tragedy sometimes brings out the worst in people but in these interviews...I am just seeing the best.

"I am so impressed with the community in CO. In the middle of this tragedy - the people of that state have banded together in support of one another. There are people that are opening their doors to strangers, taking in animals, volunteering, and just "being there" for others. I just about lost it when one of the community leaders said "I just want you all to know that we love you, we care about you, and we are here for you." Watching these evacuee interviews is heart wrenching - but the common thread is one of strength and hope. What an inspirational group of people! Hoping and praying for a miracle for you all!"

I'm okay. I live 10 - 15 miles east, on the eastern edge of town, away from the mountain. I have lived here all my life (40+ years), and have always preferred living in an area where I can look at the mountain versus living near/on the mountain with a view of the city.

Here is a map. Place "A" was the Flying W Ranch, which was one of the first things to burn down last night. Place "B" is a major intersection near my house. That is how far away I am.

http://maps.yahoo.com/#tt=Flying+W+Ranch&conf=1&start=1&q1=3330+Chuckwagon+Rd%2C+Colorado+Springs%2C+CO+80919&q2=Peterson+Rd+%26+Constitution+Ave%2C+Colorado+Springs%2C+CO+80922&lat=38.83345&lon=-104.821808&zoom=12&mvt=m&trf=0

I finally gave up at about midnight and laid down. I just got up about 25 minutes ago. I am listening the news feed now as I type this. I need to get dressed and head to my office.

This is a map of where my office is in comparison to the Flying W Ranch. I was standing here on a hill yesterday at 3:30 p.m., watching the fire crest over the ridge and come towards Colorado Springs, about 45 minutes to an hour before officials seemed to realize there was something wrong.

http://maps.yahoo.com/#tt=Flying+W+Ranch&conf=1&start=1&q1=3330+Chuckwagon+Rd%2C+Colorado+Springs%2C+CO+80919&q2=Montebello+Dr+W+%26+N+Union+Blvd%2C+Colorado+Springs%2C+CO+80918&lat=38.89213041280914&lon=-104.7904347628355&zoom=13&mvt=m&trf=0