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[Aria Jenneth]

Ah.

That pine beetle infestation: fun little story, that, in a depressing sort of way. I wonder what sort of forest will be there in a hundred years.

[Lyn Farel]

Palm oil plantations.

[hellgremlin]

In a hundred years?

That'll be a forest of apartment buildings.

[Vikarion]

Anybody who has ever been there is aware that it is one of the most conservative parts of the US. I've no idea if that actually had an effect, though.

Not that I'm generally a friend of the typical Colorado politico, but even hard-line (American) conservatives tend to consider police and firefighters important, and don't cut them unless its pretty necessary for budget stability. The truth is that the U.S. has a pretty major wildfire somewhere every year, and this year it's in Colorado.

That doesn't mean it's not a tragedy for those involved, but it's not exactly a new Katrina.

[Mizhara]

Anybody who has ever been there is aware that it is one of the most conservative parts of the US. I've no idea if that actually had an effect, though.

Not that I'm generally a friend of the typical Colorado politico, but even hard-line (American) conservatives tend to consider police and firefighters important, and don't cut them unless its pretty necessary for budget stability. The truth is that the U.S. has a pretty major wildfire somewhere every year, and this year it's in Colorado.

That doesn't mean it's not a tragedy for those involved, but it's not exactly a new Katrina.

Don't be silly. Publicly funded firefighters and police is socialism. ARE YOU A COMMUNIST?! You aren't getting any of the marshmallows.

[Faraelle Brightman]

For what its worth, I follow the Bad Astronomer through the social media stuff. He lives in Colorado Springs Boulder (doh) and at least on certain subject is vocally liberal, and I haven't heard a peep about politics regarding the fire.

Also, above link points at pictures.

[Druur Monakh]

Just some random points...

I don't know about Orange, but I happen to be one of the Waldo Canyon Fire evacuees - though I got lucky and didn't lose my home (if only by a quarter-mile or so).

I don't think the firefighter response (and temporary defeat on 6/26) has anything to do with politics or budget: the fire just behaved erratically and surprised everyone. The reason this one made the news is that for once this fire actually threatened a major city in CO. And believe me, it could have gotten much, much worse. I was surprised to learn that my home had survived.

Would it have been advantageous if there had been a larger fleet of large air tankers available? Yes, especially regarding the many other fires in the country. But in the end it was people on the ground which made the difference - you should see the placards around CoS and Manitou Springs thanking the fire departments, law enforcement, and emergency services in general.

But who also made a difference were all the civilians who generously offered their facilities to evacuees: it was impressive how the community came together when it really mattered.

Of course, the real test will come in the following weeks when everything seems to have gone back to normal - except for the folks who did lose their homes. For them, the fire will continue for quite a while still.

[Silver Night]

[mod]I agree. Please stay on-topic.[/mod]

[Casiella]

[mod]Some offtopic posts removed. If you have a problem with a moderator's action, do not ignore it and continue to post in the same vein.[/mod]

[orange]

I don't know about Orange, but I happen to be one of the Waldo Canyon Fire evacuees - though I got lucky and didn't lose my home (if only by a quarter-mile or so).

I no longer liver there (6+ years ago at this point) and I have not heard from anyone I know who lives in the Springs that they lost their home.

I am hearing about the tragedies second hand mainly.  I have friends who knew members the C-130 crew that went down for example.