Before I even get started, the PPIHC is postponed for this year. It was the first year that the entire road is paved from start to summit and as a driver, I am super excited. I'll keep you all updated on a new date.
Beyond that, I have several friends from high school, racing, and just acquaintance that have been extremely effected by this as well as some that have lost homes. It sucks... and I can't be more sorry for them.
Let's do this timeline style...
Saturday 6/23
11:00 a.m. Fire starts in Waldo Canyon
11:15 a.m. First pics are taken above Rampart Range Road
12:30 p.m. First smoke plumes become a concern for Springs residents
Fast forward.... 6/24 The fire grows and makes for some great photo opportunities
Move on to 6/25.... This was the view from my apartment pool. I was worried at this point that this was getting a bit too big.
Later on the eve of 6/25, the fire began showing itself on the Eastern slope of the Springs. As a community, we were certain this would still never threaten any homes in the area.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKgR9f81PJE[/youtube]
6/26.... s*** became real.... Mandatory evacuations flooded the area and 65 mph winds let the fire rage on homes. Several of my friends were effected.
The plume looked more like a volcano...
I was getting ready to head to Denver for a wedding reception at this time... As I was leaving, the city was unrecognizable.
We stopped halfway to Denver to take a pic looking back on Colorado Springs
This was the same time that homes were starting to be consumed
Some pics of the neighborhoods have been shown through social media. Some homes remain... some don't. Some of my friends put these up pointing out where their homes used to be.
The 27th was much more friendly, but the fire is still threatening many areas. 18,500 currently consumed.
This is the overall progression map that I showed in the pics above.
Before and after shots...
