Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Prayers for Colorado

This is not a card-related post, but I need to ask for all of your thoughts and prayers for the state of Colorado.  There isn't a day that goes by during which there isn't news of a new fire.  We currenly have 10 fires going on.  One has been burning for 2-3 weeks, it has burned almost 90,000 acres and is the most destructive fire in Colorado's history with around 200 homes burned.

Our church youth camp is near that fire.  In fact, the middle schoolers from our church were there and had to be evacuated.  Not in danger mode - but the firefighters needed the road into the camp as an emergency road.  Our campers were given less than an hour to pack and go.  The wonderful camp counselors made sure the campers were ready to go - but they, themselves, had to leave with nothing.  They still haven't been allowed to go back.

The fire that is prompting my plea is approaching a major city in Colorado - Colorado Springs with about a half million people.  The news is broadcasting 24/7 so we are watching it live as it gets nearer and nearer. They just showed a scene of a neighborhood on fire - you can literally see a wall of fire with faint outlines of homes in the middle of it all.  What we are seeing is almost unimaginable - but people are living it.  Right now, 32,000 people have been evacuated.  The major highway through the state is shut down in the town of Colorado Springs to give these people a way to get out.

I'm not near any of these fires - Colorado Springs is about 60 miles to the south of me.  I sit on a hill to the east of the Denver metro area and these particular fires are to the west.  I can see the smoke - I can regularly smell the smoke - my eyes are constantly burning.  I cannot imagine living closer. It's sad that I have learned how to "read" what I am seeing - white smoke is grass, small puffs of black smoke are trees, major boiling clouds of black are structures.

I pray for those living in the area.  I pray for those who have lost homes.  I pray for those sitting in evacuation centers wondering whether they still have homes.  I pray for the firefighters.  They are fighting these fires in the midst of the longest streak of temperatures over 100 degrees in Colorado history.  It must be close to hell.

12 comments:

  1. It is all so unbelievable, thinking of those affected...and of you!
    Hugs,
    Lesley

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  2. Thanks for letting us know, Kim. Thoughts and prayers are with you and the people of Colorado.

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  3. Sending you hugs and prayers. Zx

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  4. Thanks for posting about this, Kim. My thoughts and prayers are ever present with those in CO. These fires are hard to grasp unless you've personally experienced them. My family was evacuated from a Boulder fire in 2009...it stopped about 1/4 mile from our home. I currently have friends being evacuated due to the Flagstaff fire near NCAR. Such scary stuff. I pray you and your family stay safe.

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  5. Thoughts are with you Kim, with all those that have been affected by these horrific fires, & with all the firefighters & other people involved in the massive task of getting them under control.

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  6. How devastating. There hasn't been any coverage of this in the UK news. Stay safe. xx

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  7. They are all in my prayers Kim, thanks for this heartfelt post ~ Hugs.

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  8. We watch the news every night and learn that the situation is not improving. I've thought of you every time and hoped that you weren't near the fires and if you were, praying for your safety. I just saw some pictures on Lisa's blog (Snowy Moose Creations) and they are frightening as is yours. My prayers continue...

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  9. We have been so caught up with the devastation in Duluth (MN) that I hadn't heard about the fires until this morning.
    It is heartbreaking and I have been praying for everyone.
    Thanks and please keep us updated.

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  10. We are getting reports here in Australia and it looks so serious. Must be so scary for those affected. I feel so much for those who have lost everything! Hugs xx

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  11. Sending positive thoughts for you all out there and praying for you all too :) Viv xx

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  12. What a beautiful post, Kim. I am from the Springs originally, and watching my hometown burn was awful. I am so glad they have High Park and Waldo at least under control at this time. Like you, we were not near the fires here in Roxborough, but were over Spring Break. Scary stuff, I don't think many Coloradoans could have anticipated how truly bad it would get. We are still praying! I'm sure you are too. **hugs**

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