West Fork Fires, South Fork, Co. June 25, 2013

Morning dawned bright and sunny with little wind. We attended the briefing meeting at the Red Cross Shelter in Del Norte, Colorado this morning and learned about the progress of the firefighters with the inferno. The fire continues to burn of course but at a much slower rate at least near South Fork. A wind change direction is anticipated today and that may cause increased risks.

I am sitting out under the awning today under blue skies on the western side of town. I realize that many people want to come to their homes but so far the sheriff has only allowed the people north of hyw 149 access into and out of south fork. This is due to the dangers to the other areas posed by huge old pine and spruce trees in those areas that are not found here along the river. This is all open short grass areas with no trees to burn.  

We still need prayers about the wind and also need the summer monsoons to cone in and soak up this country. Normal conditions for July are daily showers and you dare not go anywhere without a rain suit during those times. An early start to that would be a godsend.

Last summer, my girlfriend Paula and I decided to walk in to a small lake seen on the map. it took us three times to find it but its the second time I want to share about. We normall carry a small pack with survival equipment and raincoats in it. I had taken mine out to use the day before and forgot to put it back in.  

After walking a short distance, it began to rain and when I reached into my pack, no rain suit. It was cold and dreary and the rain coming down steady. I got out my space blanket and improvised a poncho and sat there in the rain. Looking over to my girlfriend she was just standing there in the pouring rain lips pursed, upset that I forgot my coat. Not because I didn't have it but she has been on Mt. Everest and knows the dangers of hypothermia. I have seen the elephant however and all I could do was giggle at her. OF course that didn't help matters. We were a short hike back to the truck and I arrived there wet and cold and grinning. I had been wet before and needed a bath anyway. lol.  

The funniest part of this is that when we got to looking, she had an EXTRA rain suit in her back pack. Now that's funny.  

We finally found the lake and that's another blog for another time. Its pristine, hard to find and the fish bit every cast. .......kevin