Colorado residents driven from their homes by wildfires last summer are again turning to Twitter for the latest information on several wildfires closing in on residential areas. The largest is the Black Forest fire, which KRDO is reporting has consumed 400 acres so far and is spreading quickly.
Definitely having #waldocanyonfire flashbacks. MT @KellyMRosati View of #blackforestfire fire from USAF pic.twitter.com/oo4trKgC2N (17:44)
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 11, 2013
#BlackForestFire now estimated at 400 acres, 3 confirmed destroyed, as many as 10 reported burning.
— KRDO NewsRadio (@KRDONewsRadio) June 12, 2013
Savvy Twitter users are coordinating hashtags and timestamps to track alerts and evacuation orders in real-time, as well as to relieve the stress on phone lines.
Please everyone, if you're trying to reach someone in Black Forest, TEXT them don't tie up phone lines, they are jammed up #blackforestfire
— Chisohaibindowah (@RDW_Falls_Short) June 11, 2013
Hashtags for the three fires burning across Colorado today: #BlackForestFire #RoyalGorgeFire #BigMeadowFire
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 11, 2013
Colorado Springs #BlackForestFire social media users asking those tweeting info about fire to pls incl 24-hr timestamp…like this (16:43)
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 11, 2013
Crisis tweeting reminder: Deliver information directly, with a date & a 24-hr timestamp if you can. to avoid RT confusion. #BlackForestFire
— Jack Ward (@Jack4Ward) June 11, 2013
A giant smoke plume is visible for miles.
Here's a photo from viewer James Cooley – who dropped these by our newsroom. This is #BlackForestFire pic.twitter.com/oFMmgx7xA1
— KKTV 11 News (@KKTV11News) June 11, 2013
Homes seen burning in #BlackForestFire http://t.co/QJ57mwmzAD pic.twitter.com/APIvv6dkby
— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) June 11, 2013
Fire moving north and east of my house in high forest ground winds to east upper winds north east #blackforestfire
— Chris Franz (@Chris_Franz) June 11, 2013
https://twitter.com/JasonDotson/status/344602033774534658
Seen at least 10 houses on fire. #BlackForestFire. http://t.co/esE0OtaGvU
— Cody Crouch (@CodyCrouch) June 11, 2013
On the N side looking south at 10,000 feet. #BlackForestFire http://t.co/K1d37Wo8rb
— Cody Crouch (@CodyCrouch) June 11, 2013
Dear Lord. From helicopter photog. MT @CodyCrouch We could actually feel heat from the fire and we're over 3000 above it. #BlackForestFire
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 11, 2013
Arriving at 7pm, the P2V tanker assigned to #BlackForestFire will only have time for a handful of drops before sunset. #9NEWS
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) June 11, 2013
First visual of chopper trying to drop water on #blackforestfire. Wind causing major issues per @MikeNelson247 pic.twitter.com/PCwAg6Y6Y2
— Marshall Zelinger (@Marshall9News) June 11, 2013
#blackforestfire fire truck just came to help us out. Corner of Hodgen/hwy 83. Leaving 6 jersey cows behind. Helicopter flying above.
— Donna Shell (@shelldd) June 11, 2013
Our farewell pic. White smoke is fuel, black smoke is homes etc. praying for everyone! #blackforestfire pic.twitter.com/qT3vjcoPJi
— Donna Shell (@shelldd) June 11, 2013
https://twitter.com/feliciahekman/status/344605883466121217
#BlackForestFire from I-25 in Monunment https://t.co/gCMrCzxmMJ
— Elena (@elenabee) June 11, 2013
#blackforestfire Live just east. 15 plus acres and growing w/ 25 mph plus winds. pic.twitter.com/vf32ebvlMF
— David Ellis (@fuelingtactics) June 12, 2013
https://twitter.com/AsaDyer/status/344606568978976768
Smoke is going higher. Not good. Met #BFFD Chief last month. Praying for the crews fighting this. #blackforestfire pic.twitter.com/YpId3KWYj2
— Rand Clark (@randombruin) June 12, 2013
* * *
Update:
The Big Meadows fire, which was started by a lightning strike Monday afternoon in Rocky Mountain National Park, has grown to around 100 acres.
#BigMeadowsFire estimated at 75-100 acres, lots of beetle kill, remote area of RMNP. No structures threatened. #9news
— Nick McGurk (@NickMcGurkTV) June 11, 2013
View of smoke smothering sun on east side of RMNP from #BigMeadowsFire. Good news is: very remote, far from homes pic.twitter.com/OK2UR2WEFA
— Nick McGurk (@NickMcGurkTV) June 11, 2013
Smoke from the #BigMeadowsFire rising above Fort Collins. Photo by @vrichardharo pic.twitter.com/m3iRFGlmoi
— Coloradoan (@coloradoan) June 11, 2013
The #KlikusFire hashtag has joined the other three, and unlike the Big Meadows fire, it does pose a threat to nearby residents.
Just fyi on #cofires – It's now #KlikusFire near La Veta, #BlackForestFire near CO Springs, #RoyalGorgeFire & #BigMeadowsFire at RMNP
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 12, 2013
UPDATE: Huerfano County #KlikusFire grows to 45 acres, evacuations sent to hundreds http://t.co/v17ogx2z4N
— The Denver Post (@denverpost) June 12, 2013
This panorama shows smoke from both the Black Forest and Royal Gorge fires.
Absolutely nuts. You can see both the #blackforestfire and #royalgorgefire smoke from Liberty. pic.twitter.com/UjwV5oMxZR
— Slim (@KMac995) June 12, 2013
#RoyalGorgeFire so scary! pic.twitter.com/oBd6Rr9W7b
— Jenna (@13jennaleigh) June 11, 2013
#royalgorgefire by end of skyline drive @PuebloPulp pic.twitter.com/r19jg0EPQW
— Jenna (@13jennaleigh) June 12, 2013
We will be providing hydration and food to firefighters at #blackforestfire #royalgorgefire & #lavetafire pic.twitter.com/DbUIrObXSG
— IMSalArmy (@IMSalArmy) June 12, 2013
* * *
Update, 9:30 p.m.:
Authorities say that more than 2,500 homes have been evacuated because of the Black Forest fire, but there is no report of fatalities, nor an estimate of how many homes have been burned.
Evacuations: 2,530 homes and 383 voluntary #BlackForestFire
— FOX21 News (@FOX21News) June 12, 2013
UNBELIEVABLE photo from the #BlackForestFire – Photo credit: William Townsend pic.twitter.com/AtmdkxrEQ0
— FOX21 News (@FOX21News) June 12, 2013
PHOTO: Stunning photo of smoke from southwest of Liberty HS. Courtesy Dan Mitchell #BlackForestFire pic.twitter.com/teI3cWtD8o
— FOX21 News (@FOX21News) June 11, 2013
PHOTO: Smoke continues to fill the area north of #COSprings – #BlackForestFire / photo from FOX21's John Martin pic.twitter.com/YdkctySgCo
— FOX21 News (@FOX21News) June 11, 2013
Tory's backyard.. Such a scary thing to happen to so many people I know. #prayforcolorado #blackforestfire pic.twitter.com/xbos85x46L
— delaynie field (@delaynief3) June 12, 2013
https://twitter.com/scsachse/status/344628099503230976
https://twitter.com/itshoneyjoy/status/344626832827633664
Choppers filling with water from Campbell's ranch #blackforestfire pic.twitter.com/Y5m7DiHRim
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) June 12, 2013
Please pray… My aunt, uncle and 4 cousins from Colorado lost EVERYTHING in the #blackforestfire today.
— GOPRINCESS ?? MN Mama (@GOPrincess) June 12, 2013
My uncle's brother and his family, as well as his parents, also lost their homes in the #BlackForestFire today. #pray
— GOPRINCESS ?? MN Mama (@GOPrincess) June 12, 2013
Thankfully, my aunt, uncle, and 3 of my cousins are here in Minnesota on vacation visiting family. They are safe. #blackforestfire
— GOPRINCESS ?? MN Mama (@GOPrincess) June 12, 2013
STUNNING video of people escaping the Black Forest Fire: http://t.co/IT0yCox9lq
— FOX21 News (@FOX21News) June 12, 2013
Took this pic of #blackforestfire from west side of COS. Continued prayers for all affected & all fighting the blaze. pic.twitter.com/63mNW0uHMA
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 12, 2013
* * *
Update:
KRDO’s Heather Skold is reporting just before 1 a.m. Eastern that there are no reports of injuries, but the fire has spread dramatically and more than 5,000 have been displaced.
#BlackForestFire is 8,000 acres, 0% contained. Up to 60 primary residences have burned
— Heather Skold KRDO (@HeatherSkold13) June 12, 2013
No injuries reported in #BlackForestFire
— Heather Skold KRDO (@HeatherSkold13) June 12, 2013
Before evac area expanded, 5469 people evacuated. Unknown how many now w expanded #BlackForestFire
— Heather Skold KRDO (@HeatherSkold13) June 12, 2013
Update 1:47am Eastern:
The fire has jumped Meridian Road.
Colorado Springs Gazette and local friends reporting that #blackforestfire has jumped Meridian Road. Not good. (22:47)
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 12, 2013
LIVE UPDATE: #BlackForestfire jumps Meridian. http://t.co/Gi32WjJmLz
— The Gazette (@csgazette) June 12, 2013
Smoke is really thick in meridian ranch, burns your eyes. House is locked up wit the AC on
— Dave (@ScorpCO76) June 12, 2013
More pre-evac orders and evac orders have gone out.
So… 5,469 people evacuated before the fire jumped Meridian Road, including 1,966 homes #BlackForestFire
— Jakob Rodgers (@JakobRodgers) June 12, 2013
An additional 336 homes that just went from pre-evac to mandatory evac with fire jump #BlackForestFire
— Jakob Rodgers (@JakobRodgers) June 12, 2013
155 firefighters, 130 law enforcement, 16 water tenders, 36 fire apparatus, 4 bull dozers #BlackForestFire
— Jakob Rodgers (@JakobRodgers) June 12, 2013
Gov. Hickenlooper appeared before TV cameras to deliver these words of wisdom.
Gov Hickenlooper wants to speed up process to request federal resources during fires. #BlackforestFire pic.twitter.com/xpzs6RQFE9
— Tom Mustin (@TomMustin) June 12, 2013
Gov Hickenlooper: "the real time to fight these fires are in the first few hours." #blackforestfire
— Valerie Castro (@VCastroTV) June 12, 2013
UPDATE Mandatory Evacuation: Goodson Rd. east to Eastonville Rd., Ayer Rd. south to Rex Rd. #BlackForestFire – 11:08 PM
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) June 12, 2013
Power has been turned off in affected areas.
…sitting in my house in the dark cause the power is out. waiting for evacuation on north of hogen. Cars packed #blackforestfire #scared
— Kaitlyn Renee (@Kaitlyn_Renee24) June 12, 2013
Another eerie thing out here at the #BlackForestFire is that the power has been turned off to area. This F.S. on gen. pic.twitter.com/E2bFmPAnsK
— James Dougherty (@DoughertyKMGH) June 12, 2013
Alarm company just called. Our CenturyLink backup alarm line is down. No power, phone or gas at the shop. #blackforestfire 6/11 10:06pm
— R&R Coffee Cafe (@rnrcoffeecafe) June 12, 2013
New numbers on homes lost:
New numbers for the #blackforestfire. Up to 60 homes damaged. #cofires http://t.co/G1HeuVq6AK
— Tom Mustin (@TomMustin) June 12, 2013
Update, Tuesday 6/12/13:
The #BlackForestFire is still at 0% containment.
UPDATE: Sheriff Terry Maketa reporting more resources inbound. Red Flag Warning today. #BlackForestFire
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) June 12, 2013
UPDATE: Sheriff Terry Maketa: "Still working in an area of 48 sqare miles…heavily timbered." #BlackForestFire
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) June 12, 2013
UPDATE: Sheriff Terry Maketa: ZERO injuries to responders at this point. #BlackForestFire
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) June 12, 2013
UPDATE: Sheriff Terry Maketa: "The fire is far from under control." #BlackForestFire
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) June 12, 2013
UPDATE: Sheriff Terry Makeita: Heavy air support efforts to begin around 11 am. #BlackForestFire
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) June 12, 2013
UPDATE: Sheriff Terry Maketa: Still at 0% containment, but the line was held on the south and southeast sides. #BlackForestFire
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) June 12, 2013
Under another Red Flag warning, between 2-8pm for most of El Paso County #BlackForestFire
— Heather Skold KRDO (@HeatherSkold13) June 12, 2013
Related:
#RoyalGorgeFire: 3,800 acres destroyed, Royal Gorge bridge threatened, but ‘intact’ [photos, video]
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