This is just a short post on the current conditions of the Colorado, U.S.A . Wild Fires. As more facts come in I will add them. This is just not a news report but also an advisory for all the Backpackers and Campers who could be affected. I myself in Durango, CO am in the center of approx. eight fires, the closest one to my residence is four miles away, but is contained.
After the evacuation of residents, from 3,000 to 30,000, they began to return on Sunday to homes that had been reduced to ashes and noted by authorities as the worst year for Wildfires in Colorado history.
It was just one of several still burning in the West, where parched conditions and searing heat contributed to the woes facing crews on hundreds of square miles across Utah, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.
— Utah: Fire commanders say Utah’s largest wildfire has consumed more than 150 square miles and shows no sign of burning itself out. Hundreds of firefighters are trying to hold the Clay Springs fire from advancing on the ranching towns of Scipio and Mills on the edge of Utah’s west desert. The fire has destroyed one summer home and threatens 75 others. The fire was 48 percent contained on Sunday.
— Montana: Crews in eastern Montana strengthened fire lines overnight on a 246-square-mile complex of blazes burning about 10 miles west of Lame Deer. More than 500 firefighters are now at the lightning-caused fires that started Monday and have destroyed more than 30 structures.
— Wyoming: A wind-driven wildfire in a sparsely populated area of southeastern Wyoming exploded from eight square miles to nearly 58 square miles in a single day, and an unknown number of structures have burned. About 200 structures were considered threatened.
— Idaho: Firefighters in eastern Idaho had the 1,038-acre Charlotte fire 80 percent contained Sunday but remained cautious with a forecast of high winds and hot temperatures that could put hundreds of homes at risk.
— Colorado: The last evacuees from the High Park Fire in northern Colorado have been allowed to return home as crews fully contained the blaze. The 136-square-mile fire killed one resident and destroyed 259 houses, a state record until the fire near Colorado Springs.
Has anyone ever endured a natural disaster? Where you home at the time?
We could all sure use a lot of rainfall right now.
EyeTravelSolo 
We hope you stay safe Eye. We lived through Black Saturday here in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne in early 2009. We were extremely lucky not to be directly affected, but we lived through the experiences of some of our close friends and family who were. Our house was about 30 minutes from the most affected areas and it was extremely difficult being able to smell and see the smoke so close and to know lives were being lost. I work for my local newspaper and this too proved to be difficult emotionally because we had to cover the fires and the stories that prevailed, plus running fund-raising events. Australia is always experiencing bush-fires but nothing ever really prepares people emotionally and physically for what can happen. I hope your communities stay strong and stick together. Solidarity is a powerful thing. I hope there is an end to the fires and this devastation very soon. We’re thinking of you all.
Thanks Tea, it just goes to show you never know when the worst can happen. I try to make that apparent in some of my blogs, even bringing up terrorism in South Thailand.
But, no one seems to listen, they stay focused on the beach. Granted resorts are unlikely to be targets, but I think in the past few years we have seen that no where is safe.
It’s a matter of research on where you go and what the conditions are there at the time.
Thanks Justine,
Yes, these fires can turn into a tragedy. Durango experienced the Missionary Ridge Fire many years ago. Countless homes and lives (firefighters & Volunteers) were lost as it raged for weeks.
It very difficult to contain a fire in the mounains when there are no roads or trails for the Firefighters to use. the have to forge their own while planes dump chemicals and water on it 24 hours a day.
Over 10 years later, when I go hike that area you can still see the burned Aspen Trees. At the same time though, you also see the beginnings of knew growth.
Thanks for your reply and sorry for my late response.
K