An apocalyptic dark-orange sky shrouds the deep-pink sun as if it’s 7:00 at night while, in reality, it’s only noon. Ash rains down like snowflakes and collects into black piles on cars, in cracks in the cement, and against buildings. You can’t go outside for long because the air is toxic. We live less than 15 miles from the fires and are staying informed through local updates. This has been our lifestyle for more than two months now.

Many have had to evacuate and many have lost their homes. 

Ignited on August 13, 2020, the Cameron Peak Fire is the largest forest fire in Colorado history, and, as of this writing, according to https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/cameronpeakfire, with the assistance of unrelenting 40 mile-per-hour winds, a tremendous of amount of fuel, such as beetle-kill pine, very little precipitation, and steep terrain, the fire has consumed nearly 207,000 acres thus far and is currently only 55% contained. The ravenous monster grows daily, creating new spot fires like the East Troublesome Fire, which grew in a matter of hours from 1,000 acres to an astounding 100,000 acres, burning into the majestic Rocky Mountain National Park, and threatening the picturesque towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake, and could join forces with the Cameron Peak Fire. And the CalWood Fire is threatening the cities of Boulder, Lyons, and others.

Firefighters like those from Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department, joined by firefighters from all over our state, have come together to subdue the beast, risking their lives in severe and unpredictable conditions. 

Per an email I received from Fire Chief Kris Kazian with Windsor Severance Fire Rescue:

[The] Glen Haven Fire Dept. is a very small fire dept. that has exceeded their budget. They have over $3,000 in fuel costs that they do not have funds for and will not be reimbursed.

And

The impacts of these fires are not even being felt yet. We have the impacts to people losing their homes but the subsequent potential flooding and water contamination concerns, I think we are sadly just getting started!

Also, in an email from a representative at GHAVD, I was told,

Right now they (GHAVD) are $3,000 out of pocket expense for fuel and anticipate approximately a total of $10,000 for [their] volunteer crew. [They] have reached out to all for help… many times they get left behind when it comes to help.

2020 has been a year of constant turmoil and fear for many, and in the face of so much adversity, I believe that the best thing we can do as human beings, is to be of service to others. I most humbly request that you join me in supporting those who put their lives on the line each time they go to work to unselfishly help save our families and friends, our homes, our wilderness, our pets and our wildlife–our world. We cannot begin to know the tremendous amount of mental, emotional, and physical stress they must be dealing with as they work through all of this. They are truly our unsung heroes and we are forever in their debt.

Please direct your donations here: Glen Haven Volunteer Fire Department

Thank you and God bless. Together, we will get through this.