I’ve hesitated posting here about the fire our city experienced, but I’m finding the need to process through some thoughts and emotions.  Two weeks ago, I was amazed, shocked, and almost disgusted by how many comments and photos were all over face book about it, but I’m beginning to see that everyone needs a way to process this.  Even those of us who are safe in our homes went through a roller coaster of emotions, and talking about it will be healing.  Plus, this fire will be part of our city’s history, and I want our children to have a record of what happened and how our family was affected.

On Saturday, June 23, 2012, the Waldo Canyon Fire started up in the mountains, west of Colorado Springs near Cascade.  Although acres were burning, life went on as normal for most of us in the Springs.  The temperatures were extremely hot and occasionally we were experiencing some smoke in town.  The news coverage of this fire began taking priority, and the local news stations began running 24-hour coverage.  Then, some northwestern neighborhoods in town evacuated and suddenly it became very real.  On Sunday morning at church, I was shocked to see how many people had evacuated their homes when asked to raise their hands.

Thousands of residents evacuated their homes on the west side as the fire raced down the mountainside.

On Tuesday afternoon, June 26, the winds in town picked up and shifted, and suddenly the fire was heading into town.  The fire literally was racing down the mountainside and more and more people were asked to evacuate their homes.  Some had a few hours to pack, others had only minutes.  By dinner time on Tuesday, the city was in a panic, glued to the TV.  On his drive home, Kenny could only see 4-5 cars in front of him because the smoke was so thick.  News came later that the Flying W Ranch, a local piece of Colorado Springs history for the past 60 years, was gone.  That news was very sad.

The Flying W Wranglers stand together on the outdoor stage they perform on nightly during the summer.

That evening Kenny and I discussed what items we would gather up if we needed to evacuate.  Even though the fire was about 9-10 miles from our home, we wanted to be prepared.  We took the laptop to bed with us, and checked during the night to see if the fire had spread further east and where the new evacuations were.

Wednesday morning was a new day, and although the fire was still raging, there was no longer such a threat to our city; it was moving northward.  Wednesday night we had friends over for dinner, and of course, planned to eat inside because of the smoke and hot weather.  However, after Kenny went out to start the grill, he came back in and announced the smoke had cleared (for now) and it was much cooler!  What a blessing and treat it was to eat outside after just one day after the fire was racing into our town.  I realized that many people were without homes that night, but it still felt as if God was saying, “See, it will be okay.  Trust me.”  It literally felt like a breath of fresh air.

Currently the burned area for this fire is listed at 18, 247 acres, and although it is not completely out, it is at 98% containment.  346 homes were lost, 2 people were found dead in their home, and over 1,500 firefighters were battling the blaze.  We know two families who lost their homes completely, and some others who have smoke and water damage.

Firefighters who refuse to leave the Waldo Canyon fire area get a few hours sleep in sleeping bags on a culdesac.

So now, just over 2 weeks later, we see a community who is standing together strong.  The evacuee shelters, food banks, and various other outpourings of help were simply amazing to see.  People donated over 1 million pounds of food to the Care & Share food bank after the fire.  Almost $300,000 was raised on July 4th during “A Community Rises,” a benefit concert for the Waldo Canyon fire victim assistance fund.  Amazing.  The speaker from Focus on the Family stated at the concert, “Fighting this fire, we are one community—together.”

This logo, created by a friend of ours, was used to make and sell hundreds of T-shirts raising awareness, and in turn, making shirts for fire fighters with donations.

Many people in town are now asking “Why?”  “Why did God do this?”  God is sovereign and we may never know why.  God’s power and might were definitely displayed.  Some said it was God’s wrath raining down on our city.  Whatever the reason, we know that God ALLOWED this fire to happen for His glory and for our good.  It may not look good, but in the end, He will use it to draw people closer to Himself.

Firefighters raising an American flag above a section of the burned out neighborhood, Mountain Shadows.

After things started to get worse on Tuesday, many, many people began to pray.  Even the news anchors said they were praying and were asking others to pray.  And, overnight, the weather DID change.  Winds died down, shifted, and the firefighters held the line.  God heard the prayers of His people and ALLOWED the weather change.  Praise God!  But, on Wednesday, the news anchors simply said, “Mother nature finally cooperated.”  We, who believe in a loving, sovereign, powerful God, know the real reason the weather changed.

Thank you, Lord, for sparing our home and our family.  We pray that you will give comfort and strength to all those who lost their home.  Thank you, that our new V7 church plant is on the west side of town where so many people will need Jesus.  Thank you, in advance, for what you will do in our community through this fire.