That little rain I posted about yesterday over Spring Creek Basin? Apparently quite a lot more fell over the Ferris Fire, and that has helped firefighters reach 43 percent containment on the 64,868-acre fire. Some zones still have active evacuation orders – Zone 16 on the Dolores-San Miguel County line west of Spring Creek Basin; Zone 2 along Ryman Creek southeast of the basin; Zone 10, south along the Dolores River. Up-Disappointment-Valley residents remain at “set” status, as is Glade Ranch (on the east side of the fire, which had been among the first zones evacuated) and Zone 14a and Zone 14b on the very west/northwest side of the fire.
The entire forecast for the foreseeable future contains the potential for thunderstorms. Yay, rain … not so much any accompanying lightning? I got word yesterday afternoon that smoke had been reported up-valley by a firefighting helicopter pilot. Two engines were sent, and though I didn’t hear an outcome report yet, I hope that was squashed before it really got going. It would have been caused by a lightning strike from Monday’s passing storm, and while *I* looked in that area specifically for smoke that evening, I never saw anything. That’s just another lesson in how fires can smolder before they take hold.
The pilot killed fighting the Gold Mountain Fire near Ridgway and Ouray has been identified as Nicholas Dale from British Columbia, Canada. Please hold his family in your prayers. Mentioned in this article and read about from other sources, apparently hundreds of people lined the route as he was carried from Gunnison to Grand Junction on Tuesday.
That’s just some heavy news, and I don’t really have it in me to do much of a post for today.
From my perch Monday evening on the south wall of Spring Creek canyon, looking back (southish) at the mustangs I originally walked out to see. The basin entrance is just below that little hill/butte at mid-back left. Some stormy promise in the background … not much smoke visible … it looked much the same yesterday evening.
Be safe out there. Continue to think RAIN. Include the firefighters – fallen and still fighting – in your prayers.
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Amen! Blessings and gratitude to all those working on the fires, prayers for those we’ve lost and for the safety of all the rest.
And for RAIN!
Amen! Blessings and gratitude to all those working on the fires, prayers for those we’ve lost and for the safety of all the rest.
And for RAIN!
Amen! Blessings and gratitude to all those working on the fires, prayers for those we’ve lost and for the safety of all the rest.
And for RAIN!
I had hoped to hear that some of these scattered rainstorms were making their way over the fire. So glad that’s the case. Forty three percent contained is encouraging news! These rains are a double-edged sword right now – bringing life-giving, fire-fighting rain on the one hand but lightening strikes on the other. We remember Nicholas Dale with gratitude and pray for his family. And prayers always for our firefighters who continue the battle. I love your photo today, TJ – one of my favorite spots actually.
Hoping for more rain to help the brave firefighters!
Yayyy RAIN 🌧️