Sundance Trail Dude Ranch & High Park Fire Colorado
Wow! So many emails and phone calls! Y’all make us feel very cared for.
The fire remains at least 25 miles south east of us and on the other side of the river ( a major big protective fire line).
Our prevailing winds continue to be from the west or northwest, pushing the fire away (and filling Fort Collins with smoke). A wind from the south will push the fire north, but still far west of us. A wind from the east will push the fire far south of us. Our concern is high winds from the south-east; pretty unusual. We are watching closely and we are prepared.
Staff fire training is complete. We own our own foam system to cover the lodge. We have set up impulse sprinkler systems around defenable buildings as a precaution. The last few beetle killed trees will come down today. All is well, we are prepared. Actually, thanks to Nick, Victor, James and a few others, we have been well prepared for a couple of years now. (We have been expecting this since we moved here – Smoky the bear has caused almost one hundred years of fuels to be left on the ground – Mother Nature is trying to balance out our arrogant foolishness.)
Neighbors closer to the fire are bringing their horses here. Thanks to Dicky and Christine’s loaning us their 10-horse trailer, we can move all of the horses to Luann’s corrals in Owl Canyon in less than three hours.
In other words, we are expecting the best, prepared for the worst, and watching closely.
Now join us in praying for rain.
And we are starting the summer dude ranch season. Yee-haw!
Sorry no pictures on this post – have been off buying horses! Have bought 6 new horses in the last two weeks – all are “honeys”! Pictures of Ralph, Dharma, Rio, Guss, Soda-Pop and Gene soon.
June 16, 2012 @ 5:25 pm
We are also relieved to hear directly of the situation and esp. regarding the fire preparations and safety for neighbors horses. Have been watching reports, checking maps and praying for safety and rain. “Expecting the best, prepared for the worst” and in the prayers of many is a good place to be!
Choosing not to worry,
wrangler Marian’s parents~
Art & Linda
June 16, 2012 @ 5:39 pm
Thank you for the update! I’ve been scouring the Colorado websites, watching the news, keeping you and the ranch in my prayers. Glad to know you are prepared and all right. Teresa/ Indiana
June 18, 2012 @ 10:25 am
SO glad to hear all are safe – only heard about the fire this morning. Saw the coverage map and figured it was holding at the Poutre canyon, but nice to read confirmation.
Much love from Boston!
June 18, 2012 @ 10:40 am
Sherri and I (Hags on Nags) who visited you this spring thank you for the update as we both were concerned. We enjoyed visiting your ranch.
June 18, 2012 @ 10:26 pm
Thank you for the update! Our daughter Addie has been especially concerned about the safety of Oreo. We have been assuring her that you had a plan if the fire was too close and take very good care of the property. . Praying for rain and end of crazy hot weather
June 19, 2012 @ 4:04 am
Hey guys!
wow! im so glad that you are all okay, and the animals are fine too! ive been watching the news to see how close the fires have been to your place…that has got to be about as scarey as the major tornado activity that ive had right here at home!
of course, im right in the path of tornado alley, but i get thru them somehow, i imagine thru the good graces of God. They sure freak me out when they come clear up to the property line and then jump the farm, and land on the other side of the other property line! i guess we have just been blessed.
well..i guess you are probably extremely busy…as usual. im so glad that you have taken the fire preparedness stuff seriously. sounds to me like you are smarter than most!
take care!
kimberly stults~juel
June 20, 2012 @ 3:09 pm
Hope all is well. Thanks for being so very prepared! Love to you all and the horses. We need rain in Illinois, too and hope we all are provided with our needs!
June 24, 2012 @ 12:54 pm
Back from cleaning up some damage from Alabama’s 2011 tornado with a youth group. If I never sand another drywall joint or screw hole, I will be a happy girl! Family anxious about our upcoming stay, with vivid memories of our daughter working at Yellowstone during their epic fire years ago. There was lots of smoke! Hope the High Park fire is controlled soon. Praying for rain and that the wind stays in your favor. Would not want to have to wave smoke away to see the horses’ heads! Sounds like you are well prepared for all contingencies.
Take care!
Sue
June 25, 2012 @ 8:16 pm
Here in Baltimore we’ve been worrying about you and just had a chance to check the map & your blog. So glad to hear all is well and that you are prepared to move people and horses out of harm’s way if need be. We’re hoping for rain for you!
June 27, 2012 @ 8:22 am
Hi,
The french tv news told us that the fires are closed to Fort Collins and Colorado Spring.
I am so happy to read that the fires are at a reasonnable distance from your ranch.
Hoping the rain will arrive soon.
Erick