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Colorado Forest Fire
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Subject: Colorado Forest Fire From: Lonesome EJ Date: 13 Jun 00 - 01:01 AM Tonight, a fire is raging out of control 7 miles from my home. Scores of people have already lost their homes to the High Meadow Fire. It broke out about noon today, and the combination of high temperatures, dry conditions, and high wind have continued to increase the size and intensity of the blaze. Nearby areas, the homes of friends and customers of mine, have been engulfed in flame or evacuated. Many people who were at work in Denver when the fire broke out were barred from returning to their homes, their dogs, cats, horses and all the the things that are most important to them in the world. They sleep in Red Cross Relief Centers or in the homes of friends tonight. From the back porch of my house, where we had hosted Allan and Bill for a beautiful and peaceful night of music 5 days ago, I watched the charcoal and orange shaded smokeclouds billow from behind the ridge. I watched slurry-bombers churn into the smoke to drop their loads on the fire. It's a time for praying and holding your breath tonight. I hope Rex and his family, who are on Conifer Mountain and several miles closer to the fire than my house, are safe. Send us your positive energy and prayers tonight. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: ddw Date: 13 Jun 00 - 01:06 AM Been there, EJ. Pray for rain or a wind shift. Hope you and yours stay safe. david |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: katlaughing Date: 13 Jun 00 - 01:08 AM Oh, LeeJ, that is heartbreaking to hear, esp. about the pets! Are you safe there? Will you have to evacuate? Please keep us posted and let us know if you hear anything from Rex. Sending you everything I can muster at the moment, my dear friend...stay safe...luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Sorcha Date: 13 Jun 00 - 01:26 AM With kat here, sending you all I have. I had not heard this, and am just terrified! Pray for RAIN!! Oh, LEJ! And not just you, but for all the people on the Front Range........ |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: catspaw49 Date: 13 Jun 00 - 01:41 AM Leej, in whatever way I can, I will be thinking of you, Rex, and your families. Be safe my fine friend......other words escape me........... Pat |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: katlaughing Date: 13 Jun 00 - 01:58 AM Here is a little more information from one of the Denver tv stations, plus there is also another one in a rugged mountain area that they think was started by a careless camper. Most of Colorado is under a fire ban because of the windy & dry conditions. Growing up there and camping a lot, I can remember fire was always a scarey threat. It makes me so sad to hear of this.
"JEFFERSON COUNTY The Jefferson County Sheriff's office and Platte Canyon Fire department are evacuating all residents living around the town of Pine, just South of Highway 285. A shelter has been opened at Conifer High School for people living east of the Park County, Jefferson County line. A shelter has also been opened at the Deer Creek Elementary School for residents living in the communities of Burland Ranch, High Meadows, Low Meadows, Holmes Gulch and Impala Trail. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: BlueJay Date: 13 Jun 00 - 03:00 AM Wow, LEJ, I didn't realize it was that close. The Mudcat gathering at your beautiful home was nothing short of a life-altering event for me. A Renaissance, maybe, when combined with some recent events here at home. It's hard for me to imagine you and your home being threatened. Take the cautious route: Get ready now to bug out, so you're not scrambling at the last minute looking for insurance policies, important photos and such. God willing it probably won't come to that. Ditto for you, Rex. If we can help any of you in any way, please let us know. Our prayers are with you. Jay and Tammy |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Rex Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:20 AM My boys and I were watching it from a ridge a ways back from the house. Watching wave after wave of flames going over the hills above Shafer's Crossing. The view this morning shows nothing. I was planning to go to work and then my wife called at 6:30AM from Big Thicket near Houston to say that Richmond Hill is being evacuated and she's coming home. Don't know how she knew that. So I think I'll sit tight just in case I have to gather pets and kids and mandolins and flee. Fred, my banjo player tells me the Bucksnort Saloon has gone up. I hope not, I would hate to lose that place. Especially after we raised our glasses there to John Tinker, a friend lost in the flood following the last big fire. Fred says he's saving a day this week for the locusts. I say don't forget the frogs. The slurry bombers are busy. Yesterday while we were watching the disaster things of beauty showed up as well. The columns of smoke would rise so fast and then when they would get up around 15000 feet would explode into a cloud like a thunderhead and go up another ten thousand feet. It was shocking how fast this would happen. Swifts were jetting by oblivious to the fire. Or us. Then there were a pair of red tail hawks that were screeching and circling around us. I think we were too close to their nest for their comfort though I never saw it. At one point some ravens joined the hawks and there was quite a show. The ravens would dive after the hawks and then dive again and the hawks would chase them. It all seemed to be for fun with splendid aerobatics that lasted for a half hour. I've never seen ravens and hawks mix it up like that before. Anyway, I'll keep watching and pack up if I have to. I keep praying for the firefighters and the flyers. No deaths reported yet. And for those of you outside the viewing area, there is another fire of equal size burning to the west of Loveland. Rex |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: jeffp Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:30 AM All I can do for you is hope and pray, so I'm doing just that. Luck to all of you. jeffp |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: SINSULL Date: 13 Jun 00 - 12:22 PM Lonesome, Keep you and yours safe. SS |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: sophocleese Date: 13 Jun 00 - 01:47 PM Thinking of you all there, stay safe. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Lonesome EJ Date: 13 Jun 00 - 04:50 PM 2:30 PM MST Tuesday, the fire is still out of control. I have heard that the Bucksnort is gone, Rex, along with the rest of Sphinx Park. Due to turbulence, the slurry planes were grounded all day, although I believe I just heard one go over. There are supposed to be over 150 firefighters in the area now, including California teams. Maybe they will be able to go on the offensive soon. The strategy so far seems to be to use Highway 285 as the line of defense. Unfortunately it has meant that over 5000 acres have been burned so far, and no one can approach closer to 150 yards due to temperatures at that range in excess of 175 degrees. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Noodles Date: 13 Jun 00 - 04:59 PM Irish Prayers are on their way. God Bless
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: katlaughing Date: 13 Jun 00 - 05:32 PM Just checking another update from one of the tv stations. LeeJ, last night you'd said you wished you could be there to help but figured they didn't need non-pros running around etc. Looks as though there is a way to help out regardless. For anyone interested, here is what I found: "Fire fighters say staying out of the area if you don't need to be there is the best thing. They also need food and water for the firefighters. If you can help in that way - please drop your donations at the Coldwell Banker in Aspen Park it is at 26001 Main Street, Conifer. "The Salvation Army is also helping making sure the firefighters and evacuees have hot meals and water. The Red Cross is helping care for the evacuees displaced by the fire. If you are interested in providing more help please contact either of those organizations." Here is prayer/poem I wrote in the middle of the night a few years ago when our mountain was afire, just about 3 miles or so from our house:
Casper/Elk Mountain Burning
Fire on the mountain
Fire on the mountain,br> Tears from my eyes
Fire on the mountain
Fire on the mountain
Fire on the mountain
Fire on the mountain
Fire on the mountain
Fire on the mountain It has rained throughout the night and day here, LeeJ, I am envisioning the clouds and moisture coming your way. All of you stay safe and know you are in our thoughts and prayers. kat
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: catspaw49 Date: 13 Jun 00 - 05:46 PM Still here my friend...still thinking of all of you there. Again, be safe. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Clinton Hammond2 Date: 13 Jun 00 - 07:24 PM Maybe a good time to try a rain dance eh?? {~` And people say urban sprawl is a bad thing... well if we didn't have all those damn trees out there, then there wouldn't be forest fires right?!?!?! So i say that to keep this from ever happening again, we knock it all down and pave it... Teach Mother nature a thing or 2 eh! Stay cool and wet folks! Yer in our thoughs! |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: keltcgrasshoppper Date: 13 Jun 00 - 08:00 PM Thoughts of rain and calm winds go out to all of you..Prayers for the safety of all two leggers and four....KGH |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Metchosin Date: 13 Jun 00 - 08:46 PM LEJ and Rex, thinking of you, take care. Just wish there was some way to shift the jet stream and send our overabundance of rain this year, south.
Spent many a restless day and night in the past, sniffing the wind. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Lonesome EJ Date: 13 Jun 00 - 09:47 PM Tuesday 7:45 The temperature has dropped 15 degrees in the last two hours, gray clouds have moved in. Rain has not been predicted, but it sure looks like it could fall. Thousands of prayers would be answered if it did... |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: sophocleese Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:03 PM I'm thinking of one of them now. Hope the rain comes for you LEJ and Rex. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Mrrzy Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:07 PM We just had a MASSIVE thunderstorm, wish I could send it your way! Keep us posted, we're worrying about you, wish there were more I could do... |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Jon Freeman Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:11 PM I certainly hope they are answered, LEJ Jon |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: SINSULL Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:14 PM Rex and LEJ, Just checking in to see how you are doing. It will be a long night.
From ghoulies and ghosties Stay safe. SS |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: katlaughing Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:22 PM Somebody tell the rain gawds it's time to pull the plug and drain heaven's bathtub over Colorado...you guys are in my thoughts and heart....let those clouds burst. kat |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: bflat Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:35 PM I've experienced two fires in my life and it ain't pretty. I pray you are safe. I love your beautiful state having camped there many times. Safety to you and your loved ones and the brave folks on the fireline. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: BlueJay Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:39 PM LEJ and Rex, Still with you. We have some dark clouds down my way, too. Maybe it will rain in response to all the prayers. All of our hopes and prayers are with you and yours. BlueJay |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Sorcha Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:46 PM Rain, Rain, today is the Day!! Please water Colorado! |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Mbo Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:53 PM "Stand back non-believers, or the rain will never fall..." --Mbo |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Mark Cohen Date: 14 Jun 00 - 12:37 AM LEJ and Rex, thoughts and prayers from the Big Island. I'll try to send you some of our rain. Spent three wonderful days in Denver with my 5-year-old daughter this past weekend, and I'm sure hoping she and my soon-to-be-ex and stepson don't run into any fire on their way east. Naomi lived through the Painted Cave fire in Santa Barbara in 1990; that was enough for one lifetime. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Melani Date: 14 Jun 00 - 01:18 AM Good luck. Here's one more prayer for rain. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Alice Date: 14 Jun 00 - 02:03 AM Here is the national wildfire news page. It has updates and maps on wildfires, including this one in Colorado. Wildland Fire Update click here June 13, 2000 - Two large fires in Colorado destroyed several homes and continue to threaten structures in nearby communities. The Bobcat fire is burning in grass, brush and timber 12 miles west of Loveland, Colorado. The High Meadow fire has burned about 1,800 so far near Bailey, which is 35 miles southwest of Denver. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Alice Date: 14 Jun 00 - 02:08 AM More info from that government site: Bobcat fire near Loveland, Five homes were destroyed and evacuations of 150 to 200 homes is underway. The fire is burning actively in grass, brush and timber.
High Meadow fire near Denver, Three homes and two outbuildings were destroyed yesterday, and 100 homes remain threatened. Evacuations south of Elk Creek are in progress.
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Date: 14 Jun 00 - 04:37 AM From this distance I can only send good wishes for safe deliverance. TV pictures are terrifying enough, I can't imagine what it's like to be there on the ground. On a lighter note perhaps you should invite some cricket teams over to start playing, seems to work here. RtS |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: SINSULL Date: 14 Jun 00 - 06:51 AM Good morning guys. We're still keeping watch here. Be safe. SS |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Áine Date: 14 Jun 00 - 10:12 AM We're keeping all of you Colorado 'Catters in our prayers and thoughts down here in Texas. Haven't checked the news this morning, so I'm hoping there'll be some good news. Stay safe, Áine |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: GUEST,Willie-O Date: 14 Jun 00 - 12:18 PM I've been reading this thread with interest, having recently read Fire On The Mountain by John MacLean (son of Norman), a devastating account of the 1994 South Mountain Fire, also in Colorado, when over a dozen young firefighters died in a blowout. Sure hope the authorities learned some lessons from that massively mismanaged tragedy. It seems the reports that there will be more really big fires (due largely to huge fuel loads caused by logging practices) are coming true; here's hoping for safety and comfort for all that are affected. Let us know. A wet day in Ontario though. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Rex Date: 14 Jun 00 - 12:39 PM Hey Alice, thanks for the web site. Some useful things in there. Thanks to everyone for the kind thoughts. Last evening was exciting with WWII vintage bombers roaring over our house. I felt like I was in Europe and the Allies were coming to save us. Yesterday I was watching from the roof and some rock ledges and keeping track of the fire. Those guys in the planes are true heros. Seeing what they were flying through just makes me shake. The wind has stopped for the moment. That's good news. I couldn't get on the roof this morning as it was covered in frost. More good news. I did climb up a little bit ago but you can't see anything for all the smoke. Our harp player is out of town and was calling about her place. The first day I had good news. Yesterday I wasn't so sure. I hope she calls today as the paper lists places burned. While hers is on a street with many burned, her address isn't at least. Not so with some other friends further down toward Pine, their place is gone. EJ, it seems the old Bucksnort still stands. So far. I have to check on a rancher friend this morning as I learned they have evacuated his horses. Not much more to say. At least the wind has let up. We are spending the morning moving firewood and other burnables away from the house. Things are OK so far, we're just being careful. Rex |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: katlaughing Date: 14 Jun 00 - 12:52 PM Thanks for taking the time to let us know how it goes, Rex. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: catspaw49 Date: 14 Jun 00 - 01:14 PM Leej and Rex.........We all appreciate the time you spend to update us here. You're both on my mind all the time and I realize there is nothing I can do but send you the best thoughts I have. I can't even think of a good joke right now. We took the kids to get their hair cut and I found myself staring at a TV in an adjoining store, trying to catch the news. First thing I did this morning too. Be safe. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: BlueJay Date: 14 Jun 00 - 01:45 PM The High Meadows blaze has been named the #1 fire priority in the nation, due to the proximity of so many homes, including our mudcat brothers. Governor Owens has declared Park and Jefferson counties disaster areas, along with the Bobcat fire near Loveland. This is supposed to free up Federal funds or something. Seems to me like this is taking much too long. The Guv even announced that we are at the limit of our fire-fighting resources, and if we have another fire in Colorado, we're basically screwed. I don't understand why they don't call out the National Guard. You gotta admire how well Rex and LEJ are holding up through all of this. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: keltcgrasshoppper Date: 14 Jun 00 - 01:46 PM The news coverage here in the East is pretty good..It lookes so scarey..Having never seen anything like it in my lifetime..I can't imagine what the fear must be like..Take care of each other you are in our thoughts and prayers...KGH |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Metchosin Date: 14 Jun 00 - 01:46 PM The scene you describe Rex sure brings back memories for me. A dear friend's father payed the ultimate price when the Spotter Plane he was piloting, slamed into a mountain a few miles from here, as he was guiding a vintage Mars Water Bomber in, to dump its load .
Here's hoping again, there is no loss of life on this one. Taking on Mother Nature is a f**king dangerous business, glad to hear the humidity is up and the wind's died down. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: GUEST,George Stephens Date: 14 Jun 00 - 01:57 PM Curious when your work life and your real life converge unexpectedly in a little herniated loop of the space-time continuum. One of the things the government pays me to do is monitor fire activity using our environmental ("weather") satellites, which my agency is responsible for operating. You can see how the fire looks from 900 miles up at http://www.osei.noaa.gov -> Fires (on the right) -> United States(Southwest) (near bottom) -> FHSusCO165_N5.jpg. Good luck to everyone out there, George Stephens (aka LaMarca's husband) |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: catspaw49 Date: 14 Jun 00 - 02:00 PM Hey Mets..... I saw a "Planes of Fame" thing on the remaining Mars' being used as tankers a few years ago...and it was a few years old then. Do you know if they are still in use? In another thread, we've been discussing accuracy in movies, but all that aside........I enjoyed the movie "Blaze" for a lot of reasons, not the least of which were the scenes with the A-26 tankers. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Metchosin Date: 14 Jun 00 - 02:18 PM Don't know Spaw, Andy's dad was killed in the late 60's shortly after they had just set up the Flying Fireman here in B.C. I got to go into the belly of one that was being restored years ago, when I worked on the airport grounds. It was awesome. I'll see if I can dig up some subsequent history. Not to make light of the situation and I don't know if it was an urban legend or for real, but I was told that when they were cleaning up after one of the California fires a couple of years ago, they found the body of a diver on a hillside, complete with fins and tanks, that on of the bombers had inadvertantly scooped up and dumped. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: catspaw49 Date: 14 Jun 00 - 02:31 PM I don't know if its true either Mets, but I've heard the same story. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Metchosin Date: 14 Jun 00 - 02:32 PM I think they are still flying Spaw, check this link |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Sorcha Date: 14 Jun 00 - 02:57 PM There is now a 3rd fire, still small, in ElDorado Canyon State Park, VERY near Boulder, Co. Both the Loveland/Bobcat fire and the HiMeadow/Baily fires are still out of control, with each having burned about 7,000 acres. Rain maybe on Friday...........til then, high temps and wind to 20 mph. |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: SINSULL Date: 14 Jun 00 - 05:07 PM I refreshed PeterT's thought for the Day June 9. It will probably mean more to you today than it would have a week ago, Rex and Lonesome. Keep saafe. SS |
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Subject: RE: Colorado Forest Fire From: Mbo Date: 14 Jun 00 - 05:13 PM Keep safe guys! Ever since I heard about this fire I've been worried sick. I could barely sleep last night thinking about you all. Praying for rain!!!! --Mbo |
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