The recent Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs came within 2 miles of our house. We were very lucky.
But many others were not as fortunate.
The Black Forest Fire by the numbers:
- 9 days
- 41,000 people evacuated
- 14,280 acres burned
- 511 homes destroyed
- 2 deaths
- The cause is unknown at this time
The roads in the area were recently opened by the El Paso County Sheriff. During the last weekend in June, my wife and I took our first trip down those streets close to our neighborhood. As is common with wild fires, large patches were untouched by the flames. In the burn areas, standing trees looked like desolate, charcoal sticks protruding from the charred ground. Nearby, land and homes were seemingly indiscriminately destroyed. Much of the damage was likely dependent on the capricious nature of wind direction. But many of the structures saved were directly because of firefighting efforts.
It was only last June that our area endured what was, then, labeled as the state’s most destructive fire, based on property loss – the Waldo Canyon blaze. 346 homes were destroyed. The Black Forest Fire now claims the dubious distinction as most destructive.
Other major Colorado fires in recent memory have claimed much more acerage, but far less structures. All started in June.
Though we are now out of June, the fire season is by no means over. In July and August the heat and winds will persist, but we usually see more late-day thunderstorms and rain which may reduce fire risk somewhat.
But what about June, 2014? And the June that follows? Wildfire devastation of residences is the new normal.
1.1 million homes in Colorado are located in forested areas at high risk for damage in wildfires. This is nearly 25 percent of all residences in the state. Despite the fire risk, that number is projected to double by 2030.
We know that no region of the country is immune to national disaster. Hurricane Sandy and the recent Missouri and Oklahoma tornados are prime examples. Other states, primarily in the west, have also seen numerous wildfires.
The big picture in major disasters
What does this mean to those of us in EMS and Fire? To put it simply, greater demands.
As in healthcare, prevention prior to the crisis is critical. To the extent we can, we educate the public in the techniques of property risk reduction. In hurricane prone regions, we teach appropriate home protection. In the Midwest, we stress identification and use of storm shelters. In wildfire areas, we stress property fire mitigation strategies. Most importantly, we provide early warnings regarding evacuation whenever there is time.
When disaster strikes we rescue as many as possible while dealing with the calamity itself. In the middle of all of it we continue to both warn and educate. All of this was in evidence in Colorado last month. The population was warned to evacuate. They followed instructions and death and injury were kept to a minimum.
Structure loss, while significant, would have been much worse without the heroism of national, regional and local firefighters. Many homes, churches and community buildings would have been consumed, otherwise. The many banners thanking firefighters and police throughout the Black Forest give testimony to the recognition and gratitude of the residents.
Through it all, local and regional partner EMS agencies supported firefighters and police on scene, while maintaining routine 9-1-1 operations.
But in the waning hours of June 30, came the worst news of all. 19 firefighters from the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department were killed fighting the nearby Yarnell Hill Fire. As civilians, we sometimes forget, or are unaware, of the grave risks wildland firefighters take to protect the public and their property.
What it means for us
In summary, these disasters will likely increase, for a variety of reasons. They will place greater burdens on EMS and fire coupled with the inherent dangers. Drills testing readiness for likely scenarios are critical for training, as well as robust mutual aid agreements.
No gratitude will repay those EMS, Fire and law enforcement professionals who answered the call during June throughout the western states and put their lives on the line.
