These are newly released photos of what happened the night before last:

http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2012/06/27/colorado-wildfires-waldo-canyon-fire-colorado-springs/5732/

"As the crow flies", the closest house to us burned was less than a mile. (We've finally spotted our home through binoculars)

They are still saying only 5% containment. I don't understand how they get those figures as the morning before this destruction, it was at 5%. Yesterday, the heavy fire was on the other side of the mountain but they're still saying 5%. I think the acreage tripled in size in 24 hours.

STILL NO INJURIES OR CASUALTIES (even with firefighters) that they are aware of. That is absolutely nothing short of a miracle. I don't understand it but I am so grateful. Granted, it isn't like they are having people "check in" from neighborhoods, so if there are people missing, not sure how they would know at this point.

Anyone wanting to help, I believe the link is www.helpcoloradonow.org . If that is not correct, I'll come back and correct it.

Ok! Whew! Let's concentrate on getting you back to your house now. Have you heard any information about when you can go back in? I have someone I can ask for information, but I want to check with you first about whether you've received anything.

KKTV put out a notice saying no evacuations are being lifted at this time and the rumors that they are letting people back in with police escorts are incorrect. That's all I've seen today. We're going back over there again today and hopefully have a more understanding officer(s) standing guard at our neighborhood entrance.

A friend of mine went to Mountain Shadows yesterday to see if they'd let her in to get her cats and they did. She just got back into town yesterday from being gone since last week. It's worth a try!

Yep it is worth a try. If you'll message me your address I will ask my contact if he can get you an escort or something. We've got to get you back to your home.

Oh! And message me a phone number you can be reached at.

I know this is far from over, but so glad you can finally breathe a SMALL sigh of relief! Continued thoughts and prayers for all involved!

quote:

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Originally posted by Indigo

Yep it is worth a try. If you'll message me your address I will ask my contact if he can get you an escort or something. We've got to get you back to your home.

Oh! And message me a phone number you can be reached at.

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Done!

I have sent a message to my contact, who seems to know EVERYONE in public service in Colorado Springs, and asked him if my friend Kylah can get an escort or permission to go to her home at (gave him address) and retrieve her animals. He just texted back and said they are not giving permission to anyone to do anything, but that he will check. Oh gawd. Fingers crossed!

Kylah is scott ok too ?

The fire is on the west side of town. Scott is on the south end of town and I am on the east side of town. We are not in harms way. It's just Kylah's property that is in the path of the fire.

quote:

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Originally posted by Indigo

I have sent a message to my contact, who seems to know EVERYONE in public service in Colorado Springs, and asked him if my friend Kylah can get an escort or permission to go to her home at (gave him address) and retrieve her animals. He just texted back and said they are not giving permission to anyone to do anything, but that he will check. Oh gawd. Fingers crossed!

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That's what I was told all day yesterday as well. I'm still going to try. The worst they can do is tell me "no" to my face.

You're absolutely correct.

Hopefully you'll get an understanding animal lover.... pull out the tears if you have to!

Here is a good map if the fire and the surrounding area, you can zoom in/out to get a better view.Kylah lives near the Ute Valley Park I believe, Indigo lives east of that area and I live down in the Security-Widefield area almost directly south of the Colorado Springs Airport/Peterson AFB. We had a little smoke and ash a couple days ago but other than that it has been sunny and hot.

http://kdvr.com/2012/06/26/map-waldo-canyon-fire/

quote:

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Originally posted by Catman

Here is a good map if the fire and the surrounding area, you can zoom in/out to get a better view.Kylah lives near the Ute Valley Park I believe, Indigo lives east of that area and I live down in the Security-Widefield area almost directly south of the Colorado Springs Airport/Peterson AFB. We had a little smoke and ash a couple days ago but other than that it has been sunny and hot.

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where's the map??? lol

Sorry I edited it.

Go over there Kylah and look 'em square in the eye. I'm fuming at my contact right now. I believe there is something he could have done if he'd put his mind to it

quote:

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Originally posted by Indigo

Go over there Kylah and look 'em square in the eye. I'm fuming at my contact right now. I believe there is something he could have done if he'd put his mind to it

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Don't let it work you up,...you're trying, that's all anyone can ask or do. You know they have the attitude, "if I do it for one I'll have to do it for everyone." And yeah, I guess that's true,...she's gonna have to find that one person that has some empathy and isn't afraid to break the rules and turn a blind eye for a few minutes so she can get in and get out.

Kylah, if you have pics of your babies on your phone, whip 'em out! Let the guy see what you're trying to save... A picture's worth a thousand words!

That, I can do!

Perhaps you should call them "the world's smallest marsupials" and they will get that "OMG how cool" feeling. Maybe they won't know what a sugar glider is...and you can say it's "ENDANGERED"....I don't know. Getting creative...even with a little white lie. LOL.

I would almost tell them that there is medicine in there that you need OR ELSE you will collapse right there in front of him. Or you might just have to cry. All or none of that might work....but it's worth a shot girl!

I am hoping and praying that your house stays safe for YOU and your FAMILY AND your pets. HUGS to you my friend....many many HUGS.

And I am sorry but I have to just say - GO ERIC AND TERRY!!! Way to handle that "other" situation. I couldn't post there since it was locked. But YES!!!! I kind of want to hug them too, LOL!

LOTS and LOTS of people are using the medication angle, believe me. They're being directed to the Health Dept. I'm not giving up, don't you worry. My husband was just on the phone with someone that says they promise to get back to us ASAP. Sounds like whoever answered the phone might have a soft spot for pets. I'll keep you updated. Just cross your fingers.

I've been following the fires all day here at work. Because we got so close last year, I just worry for you. Especially knowing what it's like to lose a house and pets. My heart just aches for all of you going through this.

We have some flare ups right now, but they are not out of control. We got a return phone call and they also said their hands are tied. I also just saw posted that people are getting arrested for trying to sneak back into evacuated areas. I have a message in to someone else at one of Humane Society evacuation centers.

Hopefully someone, somewhere, will hve a better answer for you. I know in Bastrop they did have a group that went door to door for animals and to check to see everyone was out.

OK, GREAT news. A team was set up at a second evacuation site to try and get to pets in some of these areas. They said to physically go over there, give them a house key and a phone number and they'll contact me if/when they were able to get them! On my way!!

quote:

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Originally posted by kyro298

OK, GREAT news. A team was set up at a second evacuation site to try and get to pets in some of these areas. They said to physically go over there, give them a house key and a phone number and they'll contact me if/when they were able to get them! On my way!!

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OH GOOD...will they bring them to you?

i'm sure you are going to get LOTS of face hugs!

Oh good!

Oh Kylah I KNOW you won't give up! I know if anyone can get in - it's you. If they push you off today....I think we might have to fed ex you some repelling ropes and gear. I wish there was a way to sneak past them.

I was speaking with someone yesterday whose son is in Manitou. They were evacuated, let back in then re-evacuated. He was leaving with his cat when his cat freaked and ran. He has been panicking all day looking for his cat. He said he walked up yesterday and a black bear was standing in his yard. It's just a tough time for all animals too right now. I hope the cat was able to get to safety. Cats are pretty resilient creatures. Manitou didn't seem to be locked down as much as your area though. I was also glad to hear that the smoke had shifted some over your area - really good idea to have all the fans and AC on. Maybe that kept the smoke from settling into the house too much. It sounds like you left enough food so they should be OK on that front.

I pray all goes well.

OMG - I just saw the other update!!! Praying everything is okay!!! You might also want to tell them that they are completely nocturnal and that they could be deeply sleeping and not to be alarmed by that or crabbing. I can just see a humane society person grabbing a pouch of gliders and peeing their pants when a chorus of crabbing erupted. But right now, that crabbing would be music to my ears!

GOOD LUCK and GODSPEED!!!!!!!!!

They are arresting people for trespassing when they go into an evacuated area.

quote:

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Originally posted by DoubleBogey

I was also glad to hear that the smoke had shifted some over your area - really good idea to have all the fans and AC on. Maybe that kept the smoke from settling into the house too much.

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Not to be debbie downer here, but just keeping this thread updated:

Kylah's house does not have air conditioning. When a mandatory evacuation is proclaimed all utilities are turned off.