Bellum_Intus
Regular Member
PD announced 1 dead found in burned out home up north...
=(
Possible Arson and now Murder investigation..
--Rob
=(
Possible Arson and now Murder investigation..
--Rob
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The Waldo Canyon Fire Thread
- Thread starter since9
- Start date
porterhouse83
Regular Member
I really hope someone was not sadistic enough to purposely set that fire.
Bellum_Intus
Regular Member
Ditto..
They are actually looking into Friday evening / night as the possible start. There's a video that some bike riders made up on Rampart Range road about the time we saw it at the meet and greet. 11:45 am saturday. Fire Dept was there but it spread too quickly for them to handle, and we've all seen the result..
--Rob
porterhouse83
Regular Member
I am not seeing much info on the news and do not have a scanner. Do they have any solid leads?
Bellum_Intus
Regular Member
They aren't saying much of anything about that on the scanner at all.. feds and epco are investigating it at the moment.
--Rob
M-Taliesin
Regular Member
Howdy Folks!
Authorities in El Paso county have taken two people into custody for looting. Shane Garrett Belinda Yates presently are accused of breaking into homes in the fire area and also being in possession of meth at the time.
Reports are now circulating that the Waldo fire was purposely set, and anyone who may have observed anything untoward, especially near Pyramid Peak is encouraged to come forward and share that information.
Human remains were found in the ruins of one destroyed residence.
That's the latest information I've heard this morning, but they are not talking about any of the above on television here on 9 News.
BTW, in my opinion, they are doing a relatively poor job of reporting on the Waldo situation compared to channel 7.
Just my opinion, BTW.
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
Authorities in El Paso county have taken two people into custody for looting. Shane Garrett Belinda Yates presently are accused of breaking into homes in the fire area and also being in possession of meth at the time.
Reports are now circulating that the Waldo fire was purposely set, and anyone who may have observed anything untoward, especially near Pyramid Peak is encouraged to come forward and share that information.
Human remains were found in the ruins of one destroyed residence.
That's the latest information I've heard this morning, but they are not talking about any of the above on television here on 9 News.
BTW, in my opinion, they are doing a relatively poor job of reporting on the Waldo situation compared to channel 7.
Just my opinion, BTW.
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
zach
Regular Member
I've heard this as well, also that it's possible terrorism.
JamesB
Regular Member
ya, someone accused me of terrorism when my dog took a crap at the park...
tell those at the top that we ned a new catch-word.
zach
Regular Member
Yup, forgot to use my sarcasm font....
SpringsColt
Regular Member
Rough week
Hey guys, sorry I haven't been on in a while, as you may know it has been a rough week down here for us. I am sad to say that my old neighborhood is burned to the ground, as is most of the neighborhood off of Majestic and Flying W Ranch Road. Obviously, we lost Flying W early on. We heard about 350 (+/-) homes destroyed, one fatality and another missing person here in the Springs, but it's probably going to take a house to house search to get final numbers. The inferno coming down the hill was like nothing I've ever witnessed.
Most of the guys I work with are Firefighters as well, so the hospital has been very short staffed. I have been in the ER since Sunday night, and we watched our city burn from the helipad with broken hearts on Tuesday. As you can imagine we were very busy, but the people waiting were all watching the same things that we were, and the exchanged looks were universal concern and heartache.
It doesn't take much of a search to see the good here though, as the outpouring of support from this community and this state has been felt everywhere. There are more donations for the fire teams than they know what to do with. The reaction to this tragedy has made me proud to be a native of this fine city, and I have no doubt that we will rebuild and recover with class and grace. My heart aches for the Flying W boys, but we can rebuild that too. The truly devastating effects will be noted in the forests of Waldo Canyon, which will take hundreds of years to regain their previous glory. The memories of our neighborhood will remain strong.
Hang in there Colorado Springs. Your heart and conviction are inspiring.
Hey guys, sorry I haven't been on in a while, as you may know it has been a rough week down here for us. I am sad to say that my old neighborhood is burned to the ground, as is most of the neighborhood off of Majestic and Flying W Ranch Road. Obviously, we lost Flying W early on. We heard about 350 (+/-) homes destroyed, one fatality and another missing person here in the Springs, but it's probably going to take a house to house search to get final numbers. The inferno coming down the hill was like nothing I've ever witnessed.
Most of the guys I work with are Firefighters as well, so the hospital has been very short staffed. I have been in the ER since Sunday night, and we watched our city burn from the helipad with broken hearts on Tuesday. As you can imagine we were very busy, but the people waiting were all watching the same things that we were, and the exchanged looks were universal concern and heartache.
It doesn't take much of a search to see the good here though, as the outpouring of support from this community and this state has been felt everywhere. There are more donations for the fire teams than they know what to do with. The reaction to this tragedy has made me proud to be a native of this fine city, and I have no doubt that we will rebuild and recover with class and grace. My heart aches for the Flying W boys, but we can rebuild that too. The truly devastating effects will be noted in the forests of Waldo Canyon, which will take hundreds of years to regain their previous glory. The memories of our neighborhood will remain strong.
Hang in there Colorado Springs. Your heart and conviction are inspiring.
SpringsColt
Regular Member
OC for ME
Regular Member
Hell on earth.....my prayers are with you folks affected. Please keep your family and yourself safe. Things can be replaced.
zach
Regular Member
M-Taliesin
Regular Member
Howdy Folks!
Human remains of a second victim have been reported. I fear there will be many more in days to come.
One of the saving graces was that the fire dropped into Mountain Shadows in late afternoon, and folks were ready.
Had it happened in the middle of the night, things could have been so much worse.
What really annoys me is how the news media here in Colorado was all over this story, until Mountain Shadows and Flying W had been destroyed.
Now you must search for new information as the media has moved on to more exicting fodder... like the divorce of Tom Cruise.
Really??????????
I'm pretty disgusted with the media, especially in Colorado, for moving off the real story Coloradoans care about. And it ain't Tom Cruise!
Channel 9 in Denver did a pretty poor job compared to channel 7, which did a much better job of covering breaking news.
While coverage has been cut back considerably up here in Denver metro area, we must not forget this fire fight is far from over.
Waldo Canyon was a favorite place for hiking, and I've done so many times. Back when I ran for recreation, I often ran the 7 mile loop of Waldo Canyon as part of my training for local marathons.
It was a beautiful place, with breathtaking views of Pikes Peak, and a quiet respite when the only sound along the forest trail was the sound of my own footsteps as I raced along.
What a loss it is, and that loss will be long felt.
As precious as Waldo was, most of us also have very fond memories of taking chow at the Flying W., being entertained by the cowboys there, and the fascination of pilgrims who came from all over the world to see a glimpse of Colorado at its best. The folks there claim they'll rebuild, and I sincerely hope they do. But one wonders if it can ever be the same?
Then there's the hearbreaking loss of so many homes, with destruction so widespread and devastating that it can be felt right down to the spirit of a man.
Folks up there lost everything they had, getting out with very little of their possessions. They look at the ruin of their lives (as they knew them) in the ashes of their homes and wonder how they'll ever regain the semblence of normalcy.
But we should also remember that the folks of Colorado are known for their indominable spirit, and their historic ability to overcome hardship.
The "ace up the sleeve" is the determination of Coloradoans to take on adversity head on, and beat the odds; even when dealt a bad hand.
The folks who lost their homes certainly got a bad deal, but they'll stay in the game and play the hand they've got. Nobody should be too surprised when they beat the house!
Long odds never daunted Colorado folk. It may deter them awhile, but it won't stop 'em!
Colorado was built on a pioneering spirit. And along with that spirit is the will to volunteer to help in a crisis.
Aid has rushed to the area, both in terms of material support and manpower.
The military has been mobilized to help win this fight.
Citizens can now look skyward to see C-130s, capable of dropping 21 tons of fire retardant per run, attacking the fire.
Equipment from Fort Carson have been moved into the area to help cut fire lines.
Peterson Air Force Base is also mobilized to join the battle.
When the final ember has been extinguished, the spirit of Colorado will shine all the brighter.
We'll get through this thing, and what was destroyed will be rebuilt.
Because folks in Colorado won't give up. We won't quit. We won't surrender.
We live in Colorado because we love Colorado.
Colorado is great because her people are made of sterner stuff.
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
Human remains of a second victim have been reported. I fear there will be many more in days to come.
One of the saving graces was that the fire dropped into Mountain Shadows in late afternoon, and folks were ready.
Had it happened in the middle of the night, things could have been so much worse.
What really annoys me is how the news media here in Colorado was all over this story, until Mountain Shadows and Flying W had been destroyed.
Now you must search for new information as the media has moved on to more exicting fodder... like the divorce of Tom Cruise.
Really??????????
I'm pretty disgusted with the media, especially in Colorado, for moving off the real story Coloradoans care about. And it ain't Tom Cruise!
Channel 9 in Denver did a pretty poor job compared to channel 7, which did a much better job of covering breaking news.
While coverage has been cut back considerably up here in Denver metro area, we must not forget this fire fight is far from over.
Waldo Canyon was a favorite place for hiking, and I've done so many times. Back when I ran for recreation, I often ran the 7 mile loop of Waldo Canyon as part of my training for local marathons.
It was a beautiful place, with breathtaking views of Pikes Peak, and a quiet respite when the only sound along the forest trail was the sound of my own footsteps as I raced along.
What a loss it is, and that loss will be long felt.
As precious as Waldo was, most of us also have very fond memories of taking chow at the Flying W., being entertained by the cowboys there, and the fascination of pilgrims who came from all over the world to see a glimpse of Colorado at its best. The folks there claim they'll rebuild, and I sincerely hope they do. But one wonders if it can ever be the same?
Then there's the hearbreaking loss of so many homes, with destruction so widespread and devastating that it can be felt right down to the spirit of a man.
Folks up there lost everything they had, getting out with very little of their possessions. They look at the ruin of their lives (as they knew them) in the ashes of their homes and wonder how they'll ever regain the semblence of normalcy.
But we should also remember that the folks of Colorado are known for their indominable spirit, and their historic ability to overcome hardship.
The "ace up the sleeve" is the determination of Coloradoans to take on adversity head on, and beat the odds; even when dealt a bad hand.
The folks who lost their homes certainly got a bad deal, but they'll stay in the game and play the hand they've got. Nobody should be too surprised when they beat the house!
Long odds never daunted Colorado folk. It may deter them awhile, but it won't stop 'em!
Colorado was built on a pioneering spirit. And along with that spirit is the will to volunteer to help in a crisis.
Aid has rushed to the area, both in terms of material support and manpower.
The military has been mobilized to help win this fight.
Citizens can now look skyward to see C-130s, capable of dropping 21 tons of fire retardant per run, attacking the fire.
Equipment from Fort Carson have been moved into the area to help cut fire lines.
Peterson Air Force Base is also mobilized to join the battle.
When the final ember has been extinguished, the spirit of Colorado will shine all the brighter.
We'll get through this thing, and what was destroyed will be rebuilt.
Because folks in Colorado won't give up. We won't quit. We won't surrender.
We live in Colorado because we love Colorado.
Colorado is great because her people are made of sterner stuff.
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
since9
Campaign Veteran
What the hell?
Despite the power being on, the gas being on, and the apartments being 100% intact, for some reason some idiot lumped my apartment complex in with Mountain Shadows.
Meanwhile, 100% of all residences to the North, East, and South of us, including an apartment complex about a mile to the WEST.
So, "what the hell?"
I called the hotlines and was told it was a "utilities issue." Funny, when I called Colorado Springs Utilities, I was told by three separate people there are NO utilities issues at the apartments, and that in fact, they utilities are on and they've received no calls from the city to do anything with them. I even called the CSPD who admitted someone had made a mistake on the map. "Ok, so someone made a mistake. Fix it." "Well, it's not that easy..." "Sure it is! Draw the correct line and republish the corrected evacuation notice."
And on it went this afternoon.
So, to make a long story short, Obama isn't the only one with buffoonery on his hands...
If all this is some sort of cover-up as they look for a supposed "large cache of weapons," they're in for some serious disappointment, as I only have one firearm, and it's with me! In the meantime, some 500 families remain unnecessarily barred from their homes.
Which brings up a good question: I know the National Guard can be mobilized to help local police with "security," but how about corrections officers from the federal pen down south? Both are on the prowl around my apartment complex.
Well, at least they're keeping the looters out. Hopefully...
Still, if they just let us go home, WE THE PEOPLE can keep the looters out just fine, thank you!
The good news is that we get to "visit" our totally intact apartments tomorrow (Sunday). I'm sure there will be many of us asking why we're still evacuated given we're intact, all utilities are normal, and the entrance is just 200 feet from the roadblock on Centennial.
The only plausible explanation is they want to retain 100% control of Centennial Blvd north of 30th in case they need to send fire trucks to the west or north. Even so, they'll have to drive over shared Garden of the Gods Rd (2 miles), the lower portion of Centennial (1 mile), and the lower portion of 30th (3 miles), so moving the road block 200 feet is a minimal and quite acceptable adjustment.
"Just do it."
Despite the power being on, the gas being on, and the apartments being 100% intact, for some reason some idiot lumped my apartment complex in with Mountain Shadows.
Meanwhile, 100% of all residences to the North, East, and South of us, including an apartment complex about a mile to the WEST.
So, "what the hell?"
I called the hotlines and was told it was a "utilities issue." Funny, when I called Colorado Springs Utilities, I was told by three separate people there are NO utilities issues at the apartments, and that in fact, they utilities are on and they've received no calls from the city to do anything with them. I even called the CSPD who admitted someone had made a mistake on the map. "Ok, so someone made a mistake. Fix it." "Well, it's not that easy..." "Sure it is! Draw the correct line and republish the corrected evacuation notice."
And on it went this afternoon.
So, to make a long story short, Obama isn't the only one with buffoonery on his hands...
If all this is some sort of cover-up as they look for a supposed "large cache of weapons," they're in for some serious disappointment, as I only have one firearm, and it's with me! In the meantime, some 500 families remain unnecessarily barred from their homes.
Which brings up a good question: I know the National Guard can be mobilized to help local police with "security," but how about corrections officers from the federal pen down south? Both are on the prowl around my apartment complex.
Well, at least they're keeping the looters out. Hopefully...
Still, if they just let us go home, WE THE PEOPLE can keep the looters out just fine, thank you!
The good news is that we get to "visit" our totally intact apartments tomorrow (Sunday). I'm sure there will be many of us asking why we're still evacuated given we're intact, all utilities are normal, and the entrance is just 200 feet from the roadblock on Centennial.
The only plausible explanation is they want to retain 100% control of Centennial Blvd north of 30th in case they need to send fire trucks to the west or north. Even so, they'll have to drive over shared Garden of the Gods Rd (2 miles), the lower portion of Centennial (1 mile), and the lower portion of 30th (3 miles), so moving the road block 200 feet is a minimal and quite acceptable adjustment.
"Just do it."
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M-Taliesin
Regular Member
Howdy Pardner!
Could have been worse. You could have had Michael Brown running this entire operation! LOL!
Seriously, people are human, and will make mistakes. We all do. Admitting a mistake can be even more humiliating than having made it in the first place.
I know you are frustrated, and that's entirely understandable. But when you just can't buck the deal any longer, all that's left is to find a way to cope.
It might prove more helpful to take your issue to the incident command center and speak with somebody higher up the food chain.
That, or show up at the next press briefing and ask embarassing questions about why you're kept out when the situation doesn't require being kept out.
It is often true that folks higher up the command structure just ain't aware of what the folks down the line are doing.
Delegated authority does not absolve command of responsibility for the mistakes of those they've delegated.
The buck must stop somewhere, all you gotta do is figure out where.
Good luck amigo.
Hope you are squared away real soon.
Blessings,
M-Taliesin
since9
Campaign Veteran
I appreciate your kind words, M-Taliesin.
The plot thickens (letter to the Gazette):
"There's no place like home..."
...except for those of us who've not been allowed to return home, despite the fact that home-owners all around us have been home for two days.
I think there's a story here, simply because of the suspiciously conflicting information.
Hello, folks -- Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a retired U.S. Air Force officer living in Grand Centennial Apartments, one of the areas, including Reed Ranch and Bluffside Terrace, which are still on the mandatory evacuation list.
Here's where the story gets a little weird: Two days ago, residents of Pinon Valley, which surrounds the 450-unit complex at Grand Centennial, were allowed to return home. No checks were done on gas by COS Utilities, because gas wasn't shut off to Pinon Valley. As we're on the same gas supply line, gas wasn't shut off to Grand Centennial, either.
On Friday, guards at Centennial and 30th conveyed they'd been told by the city engineers "who set up the traffic cones" that they were waiting on Colorado Springs Utilities to finish checking out the apartments, and that the apartments were "without gas, electricity, or water." I called my home answering machine seconds later and it was on. No, it doesn't have a battery backup. As for water, a home in Pinon Valley, directly behind and adjacent to the complex had a sprinkler going. I called Colorado Springs Utilities, who informed that A) No, they had not shut off any utilities at Grand Centennial, and B) No, they had not received any requests from the city to either do so or check on services there, much less restore them.
Calls to the city requesting information on what's going on were either unanswered or were met by "I don't know."
Yesterday, the on-site commanders began talking about the need for "safety," and the timely restoration of utilities (which we're already ruled out as the issue, here). Jerry Forte, CEO for COS Utilities reinforced that this morning quite heavily, yet did so in a freshman manner, as between the lines his narrative was filled with both inconsistencies as well as confirmations that the home-owners around us have been given the green light while we apartment dwellers are being treated quite differently, despite the fact that most of us have owned homes on one or more occasions.
Friends and neighbors at the complexes called me saying they're as frustrated as I am. Several reported they'd called the Colorado Springs Police Department, who said "the [emergency management] team had made mistakes with the map," that "they [CSPD] couldn't fix it, but would relay the issue up the chain for a resolution."
Meanwhile, SpringsGov.com is still saying: "ANNOUNCEMENT: On Sunday, July 1, at 2 p.m., the City will release information at a media briefing about the areas of Peregrine, Oak Valley, and areas east of Centennial (such as Reed Ranch and Grand Centennial Apartments) still on mandatory evacuation. At that time, a decision will have been made and will be announced about lifting the evacuation order if it is safe to do so."
I'm eager to find out whether they intend to admit the mistake reported by the dispatcher at the Colorado Springs Police Department, or whether they're going to come up with more excuses as to why they're not allowing us apartment dwellers to return home.
We have no less, and every bit the same right to return to our homes as house-owners have to return to theirs, and in the SAME time frame, without any difference in delay, particularly as we share the same electricity, gas, and water as the home-owners in Pinon Valley bordering us on our North, East, and Southern boundaries.
Finally, as for apartments, why were the residents of the apartment complex at Garden of the Gods and 30th allowed to return home 2 days ago? They're further west than us!
Bottom line, something stinks, and it's not leaking gas.
Please look into this! As I said, there's something going on that's not only not being said, but that's being covered up by cover stories about "safety."
Sincerely,
The plot thickens (letter to the Gazette):
"There's no place like home..."
...except for those of us who've not been allowed to return home, despite the fact that home-owners all around us have been home for two days.
I think there's a story here, simply because of the suspiciously conflicting information.
Hello, folks -- Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a retired U.S. Air Force officer living in Grand Centennial Apartments, one of the areas, including Reed Ranch and Bluffside Terrace, which are still on the mandatory evacuation list.
Here's where the story gets a little weird: Two days ago, residents of Pinon Valley, which surrounds the 450-unit complex at Grand Centennial, were allowed to return home. No checks were done on gas by COS Utilities, because gas wasn't shut off to Pinon Valley. As we're on the same gas supply line, gas wasn't shut off to Grand Centennial, either.
On Friday, guards at Centennial and 30th conveyed they'd been told by the city engineers "who set up the traffic cones" that they were waiting on Colorado Springs Utilities to finish checking out the apartments, and that the apartments were "without gas, electricity, or water." I called my home answering machine seconds later and it was on. No, it doesn't have a battery backup. As for water, a home in Pinon Valley, directly behind and adjacent to the complex had a sprinkler going. I called Colorado Springs Utilities, who informed that A) No, they had not shut off any utilities at Grand Centennial, and B) No, they had not received any requests from the city to either do so or check on services there, much less restore them.
Calls to the city requesting information on what's going on were either unanswered or were met by "I don't know."
Yesterday, the on-site commanders began talking about the need for "safety," and the timely restoration of utilities (which we're already ruled out as the issue, here). Jerry Forte, CEO for COS Utilities reinforced that this morning quite heavily, yet did so in a freshman manner, as between the lines his narrative was filled with both inconsistencies as well as confirmations that the home-owners around us have been given the green light while we apartment dwellers are being treated quite differently, despite the fact that most of us have owned homes on one or more occasions.
Friends and neighbors at the complexes called me saying they're as frustrated as I am. Several reported they'd called the Colorado Springs Police Department, who said "the [emergency management] team had made mistakes with the map," that "they [CSPD] couldn't fix it, but would relay the issue up the chain for a resolution."
Meanwhile, SpringsGov.com is still saying: "ANNOUNCEMENT: On Sunday, July 1, at 2 p.m., the City will release information at a media briefing about the areas of Peregrine, Oak Valley, and areas east of Centennial (such as Reed Ranch and Grand Centennial Apartments) still on mandatory evacuation. At that time, a decision will have been made and will be announced about lifting the evacuation order if it is safe to do so."
I'm eager to find out whether they intend to admit the mistake reported by the dispatcher at the Colorado Springs Police Department, or whether they're going to come up with more excuses as to why they're not allowing us apartment dwellers to return home.
We have no less, and every bit the same right to return to our homes as house-owners have to return to theirs, and in the SAME time frame, without any difference in delay, particularly as we share the same electricity, gas, and water as the home-owners in Pinon Valley bordering us on our North, East, and Southern boundaries.
Finally, as for apartments, why were the residents of the apartment complex at Garden of the Gods and 30th allowed to return home 2 days ago? They're further west than us!
Bottom line, something stinks, and it's not leaking gas.
Please look into this! As I said, there's something going on that's not only not being said, but that's being covered up by cover stories about "safety."
Sincerely,
O2HeN2
Regular Member
Welcome home, since9 -- sounds like they lifted your evacuation order today!
Some friends got to return to their Peregrine home today -- all's well except for things being a bit smokey smelling.
O2
Some friends got to return to their Peregrine home today -- all's well except for things being a bit smokey smelling.
O2
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Not to stir the pot and distract from the real issues of the matter, but what's the average value of the homes lost in the fire? I was looking at the before and afters and my first thought was, "WOW. Here today, gone tomorrow." Then, "Wow, the lawns are intact. Must have been well watered." Then, "Wow, am I imagining it or is there not a one of those 'before' pictures with less than a three car garage?"
I don't want to disparage anyone's situation, but it seems to me like some of these people who have lost "everything" still have more than some of the people I've seen offering room space, etc.
I don't want to disparage anyone's situation, but it seems to me like some of these people who have lost "everything" still have more than some of the people I've seen offering room space, etc.
porterhouse83
Regular Member
Im right there with you.