The below photo was taken at 2:00pm, Saturday, March 21 from the parking lot of my work place from the base of Skyline Ridge in Canon City. I was looking toward Penrose and the 115 highway.
This photo was taken just after 10:00pm the same day, when I was just leaving work. I took it from the same spot in the parking lot.
The 115 highway is a route between Colorado Springs and Penrose which is the route my family and I take frequently from Canon City to Colorado Springs. That area was closed several days due to this fire.
There are better pictures of the fire on the internet from people located closer, but this was my view. I don’t know the status right now. I have heard zero containment, and have also heard some were allowed to go back to their homes. Those more connected to the affected areas have the information they need through the local authorities.
I am grateful for the many people who mobilize and work on events such as this. I know many are involved. My only role is to stay away from the 115 highway which has been closed several days. I can do that.
I did drive to Penrose briefly today because I was curious. I have friends and coworkers who live there. The city itself appears safe. The 115 highway was not closed until several miles north of it. I turned around a couple miles before I was required to. I saw smoke and the helicopters fighting it, but no flames as there were a lot of hills between where I was and the fire. It was possible I would have driven that route today if this fire had not happened, but all the errands I needed to do can wait. Those who do need to get through, they can take another slightly longer route through the city of Pueblo.
It is a reminder that in the routine of life, how much there is to be grateful for. The older I get the more I understand we are each precious cargo, miraculously maneuvering a complex and precarious world. These events help me ground in the wonder that so much more goes right than wrong in life.
This one doesn’t affect me personally much, so sending love to my fellow humans in those areas more affected. Hopefully the fires will be fully contained soon.