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Subscribe to RSSOn Monday FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to fight the fires in Colorado that are burning across the state. The most recent fire, in Colorado Springs, resulted in 11,000 evacuations over the weekend. Miguel Almaguer reports.
By Jack Chesnutt
NBC News
FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- After two weeks of around-the-clock work, firefighters are starting to gain the upper hand on the High Park fire near Fort Collins, Colo. But even as some of the residents are allowed to return to their homes, there is another casualty from the 100-square-mile blaze: Northern Colorado’s annual influx of summer visitors seeking clean air and whitewater rivers.
Jim Clark, executive director of the Ft. Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau, can see a smoky haze over the Roosevelt National Forest from his location downtown.
“The bad news is...we’re known for our outdoor recreation," he said. "A lot of that at the present time is closed.”
Clark’s office is handling many out-of-state calls from people who have questions about the smoke from the fire. For the past several weeks the Colorado Department of Public Health has issued air quality health alerts because of the dense smoke along a 200-mile corridor from Colorado Springs in the south up to the Wyoming border. This week, the smoke has been less of an issue.
“We have lots of things for them in town -- breweries, shops ... everything is still open," Clark said. "But, there are some folks who would have visited us that probably will stay away.”
Over the weekend, new flames near Colorado Springs forced thousands to evacuate -- one of several fires emptying campgrounds and hotels across the parched state.
Preston Harrington and Darrel Sellers, of Lake Charles, La., had planned to climb nearby Pikes Peak. Then they got evacuated from their hotel.
"We're used to the hurricanes and evacuating and what not. And we come up here and expect good weather and since we've been here they've had hailstorms, and now forest fires -- it just reminds us of being back home," Harrington said.
Bill Fee, shopkeeper at the Nature of Things Chainsaw Art in Manitou Springs, Colo., said it's devastating for local businesses, especially the weekend before the Fourth of July when they tend to have the most customers.
"I do worry for Colorado this year for tourism through the whole entire state -- not just the small town of Manitou, which relies completely on tourism -- it affects [businesses] across the board."
Clark says it will be weeks or even months before any hard numbers are available to calculate the loss of visitors due to the fire.
Rafting companies offer refunds
The losses have already started for Pat Legel, owner of Wanderlust Adventure Rafting in Bellevue, Colo. Legel has spent what should have been a busy start to the rafting season dusting off his rafts and life jackets. “This is historical. This is the longest we’ve been out of business.”
Legel’s company offers trips down the Cache la Poudre River, one of the most popular whitewater rivers in Colorado. The fire has cut off access to the river where it runs through the burn zone. Wanderlust is one of six local outfitters which have suspended rafting on the Poudre since June 9.
Legel said his heart goes out to the more than 200 residents who have lost their homes to the fire. But, for his business, the hardest part is making the daily calls to customers to let them know the river canyon is closed and to arrange refunds on their rafting fees.
“It’ll be a survival season, if we can get back some time early July. If not, we’ll have to maybe lay some people off and get a loan to carry us through next year.”
Legel started the company in 1982. He’s now 65.
"I don’t think I will see the landscape along the river recover in my lifetime,” he said.
Tourists changing plans
Jane Servi had house guests for the weekend at her Larimer County home and had to scramble to make new plans for weekend activities. She was looking forward to showing the visitors from Boston a Colorado whitewater adventure. But her Poudre River rafting trip was one of hundreds cancelled by the fire. Eventually she found an alternative rafting location nearly 70 miles away. It was disappointing, she said, but she's more concerned "about the people who are up there whose houses have been destroyed, and people who have been displaced."
Last week "NBC Nightly News" found Grant Houx, owner of St. Peter’s Fly shop in Fort Collins, standing thigh-deep in the Poudre River about 10 miles downstream from the fire. He was whipping a seven-foot-long fly rod through air that tastes like smoke. The water runs clear and cool here, for now. But when late summer rains come, the soot, ash and charred underbrush from 70,000 scorched acres will wash down the Poudre and smaller streams like a black tide. Not good for trout and other native fish.
“'Concern’ is one word. We don’t know exactly what the effects of that soot will be,” he said.
Houx’s fishing guide service has had “a few” fire-related cancellations. He explains that fishing is still good on several other rivers in the area unaffected by the fire.
Fires of 2012 follow record year for Colorado tourism
According to the Colorado Tourism Office, 59.7 million visitors came to the state in 2011. They spent $10.7 billion. Larimer County, where the High Park Fire continues to burn, represents 2.7 percent of statewide visitor spending.
Colorado Tourism Office chief Al White says statewide reservations are up “double-digits over last summer” but acknowledges the impact of the fires in northern Colorado and Fort Collins. The hope is that tourists understand that even a 100 square mile fire represents less than one tenth of one percent of the state of Colorado.
“The High Park fire is a tragedy, but there is still a lot to see and do in Colorado," White said. "And for now, people are still making plans to come here.”
NBC's Vicky Collins contributed to this report.
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Sad state of affairs. Manitou Springs was empty as I've ever seen it on Sunday. Kind of like ski towns depend on ski season revenue, these front range towns depend on summertime tourism revenue. Hope we can get some rain sans lightning soon, although the outlook is rather bleak.
As dangerous as those Colorado lightening storms can be, they are sure fun to experience.
The police knocked on my door in Manitou at 1:30 am and told us to leave. It sucked but Manitou will recover quickly.
hope... it doesn't affect the taste of my colorado cool aid... brewed with pure spring water...
Jim, if it was a tall blond guy, that is my husband! He is MSPD, and spent all night walking door to door. :)
I disagree Laura. I hate the lightning. I've had two good friends lose their horses to it, not to mention the fires that are started every year from it.
Lightning is pretty scary, lol. Once, at Bad Lands National Park I saw a storm gathering way off in the distance, heading my way. I swear, a couple of those bolts looked like they were half a mile wide. Pretty impressive show that Ma Nature put on.
Come to roast marshmallows of weenies (kidding....but couldn't resist).
Seriously, less than 1% of the state is on fire, so come on out. The fires won't keep you from great outdoor fun.
Yes, I live in Denver.
Yipee - Great outdoor fun. Wildfire smoke, 3 digit temperatures and thou shalt not grill rules. I love my state but come on...we are so screwed at the moment. With 7 fires currently going (last count) and it is only June and no moisture on the horizon it's not a pretty picture.
Yes, I live in Denver, too. I do not recognize my beautiful state anymore. I think most people would agree. But I would not live anywhere else.
Smoke everywhere and temps too high to enjoy the outdoors. I want to hike Mt Crosier to get the geocache up there, but not in this weather.
The smoke is NOT everwhere! In Ft. Collins yes, manitou yes, but it is not in Denver nor the Foothills close to Denver. It also not in Eagle, Garfield, Pitkin, Lake or Gunnison or Summit counties. Please get your facts corrent---the whole state in not on fire although too much IS!
I spent 25 yrs their and still havnt seen it all, I wish I we're their now I would hike up to Strawberry lake or the never summer range my old stomping grounds..
I am just sick in the gut over this..
Right on Eric, there's a lot of state to visit. Not caring much for skiing the first places I checked out for fires was Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Dinosaur National Monument. All three seem to be good to go. Well, Mesa Verde National Park too, but, that place is a bit high in fees, lol. One place I didn't visit, back in 2006 when I decided to just go homeless after I retired, was Rocky Mountain National Park. I went by it on I-25 heading North but didn't stop. Anyway, Colorado is a beautiful state and I'm hoping the fires haven't gotten to Florissant Fossil Beds Monument, I was planning to head there late this Summer, if, I can get away before my grown kids find out, last time I was gone for 13 months just driving around with my little dogs in my Ford Ranger. Lol, they claimed that dad was "Out of control."
last year texas and a few other states were burned to a crisp - now this state and summer is just starting - but not a climate issue - out of control colorado wildfires ? - is that a common thing
Over the past few years - yes, it is common. This year is worse. We have A LOT of beetle kill pine tree groves that is the basis of the burn. No moisture, storms rolling in with ony wind and lightening. It's bad. Heart breaking.
YEs and no, but over building of huge homes and biz have caused much of the air to warm from friction and this overbuilt friction is what keeps those pine beetles eating and healthy. The air needs to drop to 10-21 below zero for 2 solid weeks to kill the beetles.
Maybe this is a sign that Colorado doesn't need any more land developed and that homes larger than necessary end up loosing much more than they gain!
If you plan on visiting Colorado, bring sun screen:
''The record for consecutive triple-digit highs in Denver is five days, occurring both in 2005 and 1989. In 2005, Denver had a total of seven days with temperatures over 100 degrees. So far in 2012, we have had five.
The average number of 100 degree days in a summer for Denver is less than one - many years in the past have never had a high of 100 degrees"..
AND, yes, I am in the middle of it. This June is turning out to be the hottest, ever.
Right, it's been and is hot all over. I'm glad I'm not still at Bad Lands National Park, man, for ten straight days it didn't drop under 110. And, it's not even a desert environment. While I was wandering around I was in Death Valley. Lol, now, there's a place that's aptly named.
While the fire is terrible, thats not the whole story about the cancellations for the Poudre River. We had a terrible Winter - as in a terrible snow pack. Normally the snow melts, and the rivers get bigger with more flow. The river is well below normal flow, its more like August flow than June. Last year the cfs (cubic feet per second) was over 2,000 during this time, this year it is under 100! We have had no run-off compared to previous years and it will hurt rafting and fishing for years to come.
When I saw that the fire had jumped the Poudre my heart sank knowing what that meant for all the homes there. You guys have really been dealt a horrible blow. We are trying to help in any way we can for you. The generosity of donations pouring in from both Coloradans and others has been amazing. Possessions are hard to lose but the human spirit of everyone coming together is humbling. I am proud of our citizens.
Kurdsss,
That seems odd. Didn't Colorado get seriously dumped on several times last winter?
No, our high country snow pack was 70 to 80% this year. The ski resorts closed early due to unusually warm and early spring. Our winters have been getting warmer and less snow every year. The beetle kill trees and hot weather is dangerous here. In Pueblo we are used to the heat and sparse snow in the winter but the high country is not.
Like Wildfire said, the snowpack was below normal. Sure, we got a foot of snow 3 or 4 times this year, but it wasn't like the 3 feet a few years back every year. It seems like this is the norm these days. Throw in the Beetle kill that has wiped out the forrests and disaster is just waiting to happen. It poured rain last night for a little...but not on the fire!
I live near Fort Collins and go up to Rocky Mountain National Park most weekends. It's beautiful there right now, above the smoke that's hanging over the plains.
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite destinations when travelling. I have visited many times since the 1950s when I was a teen. Another part of Colorado that I enjoy, and anyone that has not driven it should, is the road from Durango to Silverton to Ouray and then east and vist the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and all through that area.
The last time I drove that, I stayed in Ouray in mid July, and had to put the heater on in the motel before morning. During the day it was comfortable there because of the 7000 ft + elevation.
Anyone planning a trip to Colorado should not let the fires and smoke scare them off. There is plenty to see and do if you go west into the mountains.
My prayers go out to those who have lost homes, etc. but I'm sure everything will be fine when the fires die down and nature takes it course. There have been fires there since the dawn of time and it does come back eventually. Unfortunately, this is the price we pay when we build in forest areas (or along rivers or streams that will flood, etc. etc). Nature has a way of forcing people to do what we should do in the first place. (and yes, I am just as guilty. I built a house in a forest once and every single day the forest fires were burning, I lived in fear - I learned my lesson and glad I don't own it anymore).
AS much as it saddens me to see so many displaced homeowners and hundreds of brave men and women fighting the 13 fires in our state, the entire state is in great need of tourism dollars, and most of the state is still open for business. Rafting on the Arkansas River is still terrific, the mountain towns are still places to enjoy (some) cooler temperatures, and the whole state is full of exciting opportunities you won't find anywhere else.
This is SO true. Nothing like Colorado history. So much to see and do. We will all get through this but meanwhile we could use a lot of prayers. And rain would be nice.
We love Manitou Springs...actually, all of CO...especially Rocky Mtn Natl Park. You guys will come back...it is just the cycle Mother Nature gives you. We all come back. Next year will be better. I also like Grand Lake and would move there but Real Estate is out of contol....so we just visit.
Come back to Manitou soon! We love our visitors. See you at the Royal Tavern, The Townhouse, The Keg, and the Penny Arcade...
Republicans” and their Stepchild “The Evil Violent Tea Billy’s” are just like a “Wild Fire” . They are a Major Disaster, Cause Fear, Panic, Chaos and Destroy anything good in their Paths.
The article fails to mention that no moisture is coming into the state of Colorado. The creeks are at a trickle, rivers the same and lakes too many lakes have pebbly beaches that should be covered with water.
Thus in response to the fires and lack of moisture I ask do the wealthy really need to take the water from creek beds for a green lawn, do the golf courses really need to overuse water to green thier grounds when the rest of this state is burning and thirsting for water.
How about canceling a golf game and giving the fee to help our firefighters!
And what we do have in lakes and streams are being drained by the firefighting crews trying to contain the fires. No one has really addressed that yet in the news. We are in Stage 1 Drought conditions currently. The other stages are closely behind.
God bless you, firefighters. And I agree about the golf courses, Sillyshrinks. Wasteful and unnecessary at the time of this ongoing crisis.
Suds I live in Wyoming and I know we've got a bunch down there helping out. I wish we could send more but we're fighten a couple of big one's ourselves. I don't know if people know this, I am not a fire fighter and I help out buy giving my time making sandwiches, donating water, cleaning showers, anything that can make the fighters more comfortable. Theres always somthing someone can do to help and I have never been turned down in 40yrs of doing this. Good Luck and may the wind not blow and the rains come.
Yes our temps are miserable, yes we have fires. We might all be joking about living in our ovens (its only a dry heat afterall) and how satan called and wants his weather back. But I wouldn't live anywhere else on earth! I love my state, and there are pleanty of other areas open for visitors. The fire in Estes Park is out, so head up there and visit to Rocky Mtn National Park! Drive Trail Ridge Road, it should be a lovely 65 at the top. Go to Breck, or Beaver Creek. There is still pleanty to do. Heck, come to Denver and visit the museums or tube the South Platte.
So very sorry to hear of Colorado's fires. So devastating. We certainly get our share from time to time in Washington State. But hey, we're open for business so don't cancel your vacation plans. Wine tasting on the east side of the state, and snow capped mountains on the west. Miles of coast line and thousands of miles of river fun in between. Come on over and enjoy our state.
Not being sarcastic but what about the debris from Japan that is showing up on the western coastlines? Has this been a problem for WA? Your state is beautiful, I agree.
At least Ft. Collins can count on the tax dollars from the Dispensaries ........oh, wait
I live in SW Colorado, currently my home has a fire buring on three sides (east, south & west) all within 30-50 miles. I understand the need for tourist dollars, but a lot of times people visiting here don't understand a fire can start by parking your car on dead grass or flicking a cigarette out the window. Unlike flooding, tornadoes or hurricanes a forest fire can start because of carelessness. We need to close the national forests until we get some rain - no amount of money is worth the loss of wildlife, forests, property and people.
By the way, you -- as usual -- forgot about Colorado Springs -- tourist trap central. We've got our own wildfire going for the past two days in the foot hills between the Air Force Academy and US Route 24 west. I was watching the fire from the second floor of Lockheed Martin's Building 2 this afternoon. I'm worried about my assistant - she lives west toward Woodland Park which is shut off and the only way out is east on Route 24 through Ute Pass. The Academy shut down its cadet aviation program at the air field to make room for the tanker choppers and light planes fighting the fire. If you don't like smoke and soot, stay home, or as people here suggest, there's other paerts of the State not effected by the fires. # # #
There are people who can still afford to take vacations?
i noticed a lot of people are camping 365 days a year...and corporate america and the politicians were doing their best...to make sure they stayed in the tents...
The air force academy should have been built on the bluffs in Southern Illinois back in the 1920's when it was being decided between the final two locations... Colorado Springs, Colorado or Elsah, Illinois. Illinois has higher humidity with lush vegetation that always stays green and never dries out.
Let's go to the museum,can't,that burned down,how about the century home of that famous persn,can't,that burned down too,how about the amusement park,it was wood,it caught fire.Let's roast marshmallows,okay,we can do that from the hotel parking lot,phooey on this,let's go home,can't,the bridge burned down,cutting us off from the airport,train station and the interstate and i wouldn't try walking there,pavement is too hot.Now,that is what i call forest management.Good job state of colorado government and the department of natural resources,forestry division.
Wow - do you need a hug? Your post is unwarranted and mean.
it's safe to go to colorado... them crazy people...will whoop the fire out of ya...
I'd like to comment on your comment Dan Whatever: STFU.
To those who are thinking of visiting... Nearly all of Colorado IS NOT ON FIRE! The fires are tiny in comparison to scope of wonderful things to see and do here. Look up the town of Ouray. It's probably the most beautiful town you could ever see. Mantiou is second...
See my above post about Ouray and the drive to get there if you are thinking about going. Very nice. Located 1t 7,000 + feet elevation and surrounded by 14,000 foot tall mountains. The road coming in from Silverton gives you a great view of the town, unless things have been changed since I was there last.
Since the topic of nice drives has come up I'm motivated to suggest a 430 mile long scenic parkway that I live near. It's managed by the Park Service and runs from Nashville, TN in the North to Natchez, MS in the South. The Natchez Trace. Nice two lane road with a lot of historical sites, but, no mountains. There are three good campgrounds, Merriwether Lewis, Jeff Busby, and Rocky Sprngs. Clean but no "Hook ups." The best thing of course; No fee. Just pull in, find a camp site and stay. Maximum stay is 14 days and no longer than 30 days in 12 months. Man, the Canadians coming down to Winter along the Gulf Coast love the Natchez Trace.
We spent close to two weeks there earlier this month, the first part in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, the last week or so in my favorite place in the world, Estes Park. We went, we spent, we will be back! Prayers for those that lost their homes....
about 3000 acres in the springs area are burning right now, and although is was only about 20+ acres on the west side of Estes towards the park, 28 homes were lost this weekend.
No worries. When they legalize marijuana later this year, their tourism numbers will skyrocket in no time.
Colorado is in our prayers!
Thanks N.R.A.
Why is it that the news has to bring in the tourism or revenue factor? That is not the most important thing. Makes one think of the greed of business. The most important thing is how this is all affecting peoples lives!!!! They are hurting. Their lively hood, their pets, their homes, all gone!! Tourism isn't the be all end all in this scenario. That will be easier to replace than peoples lives and personal property, their animals. So what if tourism is down for awhile. The businesses and tourism industry should be out there helping their customer base to rebuild. God bless those that have lost their lives and homes due to this tragedy.
I think sometimes they will use an article like this to actually help bring tourism into a state. I know it sounds odd, but for people who have been here to visit before, or several times before, they have such a love for the state even if they aren't residents that they will come for whatever reason just to help build revenue through the tax dollar as well as to help businesses out. Sounds strange I know, but a lot of people still have heart out there.
MLS, tourism is probably the most important thing to consider, because, the money spent by tourists pay and paid for all the things that people have lost. If an area is attractive to tourists, well, that's it then. Hell, if it weren't for the tourist trade Nashville, TN would be a ghost town, lol. Same for Gatlinburg, TN, if it weren't for Great Smokey Mountains National Park the town would be dead.
Sorry folks, due to mismanagement, our state is closed. Once we, the politicans, pull our heads out, you cannot enter this great state. Go to Wally World!
Even living in Fort Collins I would say the article is not a fair picture. It is right that there is a huge fire up there. Right now it's right at 90,000 acres. You can't get to the Poudre to fish. As far as here in town? The smoke isn't just hanging down here 100% of the time. Right now there are occassional times where you can smell it, but it isn't sufficating like it was that first week. There were times where it was so thick it looked like the city itself was on fire.
But you know what? Our breweries which is one of the things this city is known for are still cranking out some of the finest micro brews you could ever want to taste. If you look up the concerts that take place in this area, they are still happening. And the list goes on. The front range as a whole is still alive and kicking. There is no reason not to come visit this state.
If it's the mountains you want, heck take the long route if you are coming from the west and come through Grand Junction, through Vail but stop off in Glenwood Springs and hit the hot pool. Swing over to Aspen while you are there. Or, head south and come up through Mesa Verde and swing through the southern part of the state. Ya, the area around Colorado Springs has a fire going on but right now I-25 is still open. Or cut through around Vernal Utah, go through the upper portion of the state, go through the Steamboat area, then Granby and come through Rocky Mtn National Park the back way. But with any of those routes, you are going to see some of the most incredible mountain sites you can imagine.
When I moved back to Colorado after an extended period of time last November I came to Fort Collins because of a lot of childhood memories in the Poudre Canyon, Red Feather, Gould.... I was only able to get up into the Canyon 4-5 times but none of them were trips like I wanted them to be. However, with time the area that is burning is going to be the healthiest forest in the state. I don't like the fact that it is burning, but it needed it with all of the beetle kill. There are hundreds of more square miles elsewhere in the state that will end up like this because of the beetle kill as well, and unfortunately when some of those areas get hit it will be worse than this one. But it needs to happen. it's ma nature.
Like Yellowstone, it will recover. The lakes and rivers are going to take care of themselves. Hopefully we can have a fishery back that will be more native fish and less non-native species like the brook that are more harmful than good.
But all of that to say..... Come on out. Colorado is waiting for ya.
35 years in denver. i wish that every tourist would call and we could tell them the smoke danger is to high. 365 days a year. maybe the would qiut coming and fu#### up i 25. hey look at the mountains. hey look at that deer. did you see that rabbit. oh my god co is the @!$%#. they just keep coming and deficating where i grew up.