After a relatively calm day yesterday the Monument fire exploded into a marathon run of flames as high winds drove the fire down the canyons, across Highway 92 and into many residential areas. As of tonight, it is not known how many houses were lost today. Another reason was due to high winds both fixed wing and rotary aircraft could not fly. It was not until early evening when aircraft started dropping retardent and water in a dangerous effort to contain the fire in the streets to save houses. At one point the firefighters had to retreat and regroup and decide where to set new lines. As the night came and the winds died down, they once again gained control in the residential area but the mountain burns away with free reign.
Our team started the day by delivering needed dog food to both Red Cross shelters. Then when we saw the mountain engulfed in smoke we knew we had to go into the neighborhoods closest to the oncoming wall of fire and smoke to help evacuate the residents who needed it. We loaded up our suburban with the important belongings of an elderly couple and delivered them to their friends house in Sierra Vista. Then we went into an area who had just received the evac warning and went door to door to notify residents. The police and Border Patrol seemed to be overwhelmed when the fire exploded and went on it's run so they told us they were thankful for our help. Next, we found a family desperately clearing brush and dry grass away from their house and pitched in with rakes, shovels and axes. After an hour, the homeowner was happy with where the brush line was pushed back to. We wished him luck and continued on. It was like this for the rest of the day until dark. It seems now that the fire is only slowly making it's way across the mountain since winds have dies down. Tomorrow is another day though.
Our team started the day by delivering needed dog food to both Red Cross shelters. Then when we saw the mountain engulfed in smoke we knew we had to go into the neighborhoods closest to the oncoming wall of fire and smoke to help evacuate the residents who needed it. We loaded up our suburban with the important belongings of an elderly couple and delivered them to their friends house in Sierra Vista. Then we went into an area who had just received the evac warning and went door to door to notify residents. The police and Border Patrol seemed to be overwhelmed when the fire exploded and went on it's run so they told us they were thankful for our help. Next, we found a family desperately clearing brush and dry grass away from their house and pitched in with rakes, shovels and axes. After an hour, the homeowner was happy with where the brush line was pushed back to. We wished him luck and continued on. It was like this for the rest of the day until dark. It seems now that the fire is only slowly making it's way across the mountain since winds have dies down. Tomorrow is another day though.
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