Wow! So many emails and phone calls! Y’all make us feel very cared for.
The fire remains at least 25 miles south east of us and on the other side of the river ( a major big protective fire line).
Our prevailing winds continue to be from the west or northwest, pushing the fire away (and filling Fort Collins with smoke). A wind from the south will push the fire north, but still far west of us. A wind from the east will push the fire far south of us. Our concern is high winds from the south-east; pretty unusual. We are watching closely and we are prepared.
Staff fire training is complete. We own our own foam system to cover the lodge. We have set up impulse sprinkler systems around defenable buildings as a precaution. The last few beetle killed trees will come down today. All is well, we are prepared. Actually, thanks to Nick, Victor, James and a few others, we have been well prepared for a couple of years now. (We have been expecting this since we moved here – Smoky the bear has caused almost one hundred years of fuels to be left on the ground – Mother Nature is trying to balance out our arrogant foolishness.)
Neighbors closer to the fire are bringing their horses here. Thanks to Dicky and Christine’s loaning us their 10-horse trailer, we can move all of the horses to Luann’s corrals in Owl Canyon in less than three hours.
In other words, we are expecting the best, prepared for the worst, and watching closely.
Now join us in praying for rain.
And we are starting the summer dude ranch season. Yee-haw!
Sorry no pictures on this post – have been off buying horses! Have bought 6 new horses in the last two weeks – all are “honeys”! Pictures of Ralph, Dharma, Rio, Guss, Soda-Pop and Gene soon.
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Hi,
The french tv news told us that the fires are closed to Fort Collins and Colorado Spring.
I am so happy to read that the fires are at a reasonnable distance from your ranch.
Hoping the rain will arrive soon.
Erick
Here in Baltimore we’ve been worrying about you and just had a chance to check the map & your blog. So glad to hear all is well and that you are prepared to move people and horses out of harm’s way if need be. We’re hoping for rain for you!
Hi Jill!
We missed you this year – so sorry you and Harvey couldn’t make it with Brian and Laura.
Thank you for your kind words – you make us feel very cared for!
See you soon.
Howdy!
Our winds are almost always and consistently from the west, so the smoke is all blown down to Fort Collins. We’ve only smelled/seen smoke twice (today is one of those).
See you soon! Yee-haw!
Back from cleaning up some damage from Alabama’s 2011 tornado with a youth group. If I never sand another drywall joint or screw hole, I will be a happy girl! Family anxious about our upcoming stay, with vivid memories of our daughter working at Yellowstone during their epic fire years ago. There was lots of smoke! Hope the High Park fire is controlled soon. Praying for rain and that the wind stays in your favor. Would not want to have to wave smoke away to see the horses’ heads! Sounds like you are well prepared for all contingencies.
Take care!
Sue
Hope all is well. Thanks for being so very prepared! Love to you all and the horses. We need rain in Illinois, too and hope we all are provided with our needs!
Hi Addie! This is Oreo. I am fit and fine as a fiddle. We are not in any immediate danger. If this changes, we have a whole bunch of trailers lined up here to take us down to Owl Canyon, to visit friends on the Goodyear place, only 30 minutes from here. We have all kinds of plans for just about any issue that could possibly come up, and we’ve had these plans for years. Remember both Ellen and Dan worked in hospitals on the Gulf of Mexico, with hurricanes! So they’ve been writing emergency plans for many years! Right now, my BIGGEST problem is that I need more exercise – my cinch is getting tight!
Hey guys!
wow! im so glad that you are all okay, and the animals are fine too! ive been watching the news to see how close the fires have been to your place…that has got to be about as scarey as the major tornado activity that ive had right here at home!
of course, im right in the path of tornado alley, but i get thru them somehow, i imagine thru the good graces of God. They sure freak me out when they come clear up to the property line and then jump the farm, and land on the other side of the other property line! i guess we have just been blessed.
well..i guess you are probably extremely busy…as usual. im so glad that you have taken the fire preparedness stuff seriously. sounds to me like you are smarter than most!
take care!
kimberly stults~juel
Thank you for the update! Our daughter Addie has been especially concerned about the safety of Oreo. We have been assuring her that you had a plan if the fire was too close and take very good care of the property. . Praying for rain and end of crazy hot weather
Sherri and I (Hags on Nags) who visited you this spring thank you for the update as we both were concerned. We enjoyed visiting your ranch.
SO glad to hear all are safe – only heard about the fire this morning. Saw the coverage map and figured it was holding at the Poutre canyon, but nice to read confirmation.
Much love from Boston!
Marian is a gem. Thank you for sharing her with us! She and Stanley are safe and sound.
Best Wishes,
Ellen and Dan
Thank you for the update! I’ve been scouring the Colorado websites, watching the news, keeping you and the ranch in my prayers. Glad to know you are prepared and all right. Teresa/ Indiana
We are also relieved to hear directly of the situation and esp. regarding the fire preparations and safety for neighbors horses. Have been watching reports, checking maps and praying for safety and rain. “Expecting the best, prepared for the worst” and in the prayers of many is a good place to be!
Choosing not to worry,
wrangler Marian’s parents~
Art & Linda
Thank you for the update. I’ve been watching the fire maps and worrying!
I wish you all the best of luck. Your ranch is a magical place.
Thank you for the update. We have been concerned and watching the fire map. Good to know your years of preparation have made your home safe haven in this situation. How comforting for you and your guests.
Last week was wonderful and we can’t thank you enough for your hospitality, the wonderful staff, the rides, fun and vistas. Rachael and Rebecca cannot wait to meet all the new horses and watch the ‘baby’ grow. We look forward to seeing you again on our next visit to STR. Babs and the crew
Sending prayers from Wyoming for rain for all of you and loving your outlook! Stay safe! -The Bird.