Springs Times

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Doug Lamborn joined members of the Colorado Springs community to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Black Forest fire. The Black Forest fire took the lives of two residents and set ablaze 511 homes and burned 14,280 acres beginning on June 11, 2013 

Congressman Lamborn made the following remarks at the Black Forest fire remembrance event:

“Today we gather to recognize 10 years of recovery from the most destructive fire in the history of Colorado – the Black Forest Fire.

“On the afternoon of June 11, 2013, thick, billowing black smoke near Highway 83 and Shoup Drive caught the attention of U.S. Air Force Academy airmen who immediately called 911. More calls from concerned Black Forest residents rapidly reached 911 dispatchers as walls of black and white smoke quickly approached their homes and properties. Citizens reported smoke that moved through the forest like fog, as concerns grew over the speed of the fire and its danger to the heavily residential area on a day with high wind and heat.

“These were the opening scenes of one of the most devastating fires to hit us here in Colorado Springs, which followed immediately on the heels of the Waldo Canyon fire that hit just a year prior. Within the first two days, the fire had already destroyed hundreds of homes and robbed the lives of two Black Forest citizens.

“For nine days, the disastrous Black Forest fire raged through the community, scorching everything it touched. It robbed the citizens of houses, possessions, and pets. It turned homes into rubble consisting of crumbling stone and twisting metal, and left chimneys and garages standing on their own.

“The forest set ablaze 511 homes and burned 14,280 acres during its course. It destroyed properties and incinerated the ponderosa pines that contributed to the great value of the Black Forest area. 

“During this horrific disaster, we saw members of the Black Forest community jump into action to provide assistance to friends, neighbors, and strangers. They offered to drive children, pets, and belongings to safety while seeking their own refuge from the flames. Neighbor helping neighbor was an amazing site to behold, and even continues down to today.

“Firefighters from the Colorado Springs Fire Department and deputies from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office worked together to search for smoke and embers and flames. Law enforcement officers on patrol in the area called in smoke and heat locations to the El Paso County Emergency Operations Center that then notified line operations. Sheriff’s deputies called in smoke checks that allowed firefighters to save many homes. Local caterers and restaurants stepped up to feed hungry firefighters. Organizations like Samaritan’s Purse and local churches showed up to provide relief and counseling to those affected.

“In addition to local workers and volunteers, I worked tirelessly with my office to leverage the 302nd Airlift Wing’s two firefighting C-130s at Peterson Air Force Base to attack this wildfire. My staff and I worked directly with the National Inter-Agency Fire Center in Idaho throughout the first night of the wildfire to successfully secure all necessary approvals for the military to deploy these planes. Early the next morning, the C-130s were loading up and by early afternoon, they were in the air dropping retardant on the fire.

“This is not the usual process for deploying Mobile Airborne Firefighting Systems units to a fire. The Stafford Act normally prevents any military assets from being deployed to put out fires until all aircraft contracted by the U.S. Forest Service have been used. However, they could sense the urgency of the need and the desperation in our voices. We all agree to cut through the red tape and we got the National Guard and the Air Force Reserve units engaged and the C-130s at Peterson deployed. These actions saved additional lives and prevented additional damage.

“So, on the 10-year anniversary of this event, we recognize the resiliency and strength of the residents of Black Forest and Colorado Springs.

“About half of Coloradans live in wildfire-prone areas. As we learned from after-action reports of the Black Forest fire, wildfire prevention is critical in Colorado. Precautions like cutting brush and creating areas of separation between homes and the forest are necessary to lessen impacts of potential future fires. I encourage all residents of Colorado Springs to take actions to prevent wildfire on their property. I will continue to fight for the federal government to appropriately fund wildfire prevention efforts that will benefit Colorado.

“I appreciate the work of the Black Forest Community Club to bring us together today, and the Boy Scouts for leading our Flag Ceremony. I encourage you to participate in the Regrow to Restore project to transplant build up our community’s great Ponderosa Pine saplings.

“I will finish by telling you of some pictures I still have on my phone ten years after the fire. I was most moved by the handmade thank you signs folks posted on their property after the fire. One sign just said, “thank you.” Another, next to an American flag, said “thank you police, firefighters, National Guard, military.” And one sign, the most poignant of all, on a fence fronting a lot empty except for an ash filled house foundation, said “thank you for trying.”

“We owe a lot to those who did their best to save lives and property and nature. The way everyone helped is the best and strongest memory we have today, ten years later.

“Thank you.”

To learn more about the Black Forest fire and this event, read here. 

Original source can be found here