I'm pretty tired tonight, but wanted to post an update. Today was panicky from the start. Gusting wind and heat. I arrived at my store to see the entire area smoked in, and then the rumors started: the fire had broken through the 285 fire line, it was burning toward Conifer mountain, we would be evacuated by 2 PM. A man yelled at me from across the parking lot "Please help me! I've got three horses aand dogs and cats at my house, and I can't get this scanner programmed! I can't seem to concentrate on anything!" so I programmed his scanner and sent him on his way. People were running through the parking lot. It was like the Titanic after the flares went up. Then the winds reversed and we gained a respite.

Trucks are parked all over town with California, Oregon, Wyoming plates. The Wyoming fire brigade has cool little enclosed, metal-tracked vehicles with large tanks , and they can shoot intense streams of water in 180 degrees. Fire Assault Vehicles. And I never thought I'd be so happy to see so many California plates on vehicles in Colorado. Bless 'em all.

Tonight clouds have come in, and temps are in the 40's, so we may have a better day tomorrow. They are estimating two weeks until the thing is totally under control though. Rex R is fine...he called me this evening for more scanner frequencies.

Praise the Lord and pass the slurry......

LEJ