Only two weeks into the wildfire season and Colorado is already seeing record destruction through three major fires. The most devastating one being the Black Forest Fire currently burning just north of Colorado Springs. Over 350 homes have been lost since Monday afternoon and the 15,700 acre fire is only 5% contained.

*Please consider sending some support – links at the bottom of my post.

I’m posting this glimpse of goodness to let everyone know that your prayers are working. Don’t stop sending your love and support, precious moments of healing are happening because of you.

Dylan James Manson (I’m guessing he’s 12, maybe 15? They keep getting younger!) holds a fawn he rescued from the Black Forest Fire. Be sure to send some extra love directly to the firefighters – they really are an amazing group of people. Photo via KKTV

We keep getting calls from family and friends asking about our own safety. So far Boulder has been spared from any flames coming over the mountains. Occasionally we get a whiff of smoke from the Big Meadow Fire in Rocky Mountain National Park (333 acres / 30% contained) but the chances of these fires reaching our area are very slim. At the same time the identical weather conditions still exist along the entire Front Range so Boulder is definitely on high alert. Our mountain community has had a rough couple of years due to fires and as a result this time of year is always very emotional.

“Spice Jones, left, gives Melanie Pray, a firefighter with the Boulder Rural Fire Protection District, an emotional hug Sunday on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder during a parade to thank the local crews that fought the Fourmile Canyon fire. ( Judy DeHaas, The Denver Post -2010)”

I’m so proud of this photo. It was so emotional to see my good friend, Lily, who had been fighting the Fourmile Canyon fire for weeks on end. The tears are re-welling up as I type. During the fire she stopped coming home and was sleeping under the rescue trucks so that time wouldn’t be wasted on traveling between shifts. Her own house had been evacuated but she stayed on the line instead of returning to gather her things…as did all of our local firefighters. There were times when we could see the flames from the house. Charred debris still shows up in the garden. Sadly 163 Boulder homes were lost in Gold Hill. But it would have been much worse if it weren’t for Lily and the rest of our local heroes. There’s a code among firefighters that says you have to host an ice-cream party at the firehouse every time you get your photo in the paper. It was a great party!

Please consider donating to the Colorado wildfires and the Black Forest Wildfire.

Wild Fire Tees (many more designs at http://www.wildfiretees.com/ )100% of the profits go to the wildfire effort. Chris loves all three of his!

Help Colorado Now is another great place to learn how to make your compassion deliver the most impact.

The American Red Cross in Denver

Care and Share Food Bank in Southern Colorado

The Humane Society Of The Pikes Peak Region

And of course the most important thing is to keep sending your prayers.

Thank you!