2012 — March-July 1, Wildfires, Western U.S., esp. CA, CO, MT, SD, UT, WY — 8

Colorado        (4)

–3  Lower North Fork Fire, 3-26-12. Denver Post. “2012 deaths…[Col.] wildfires.” 6-29-2012.”

–1  High Park Fire, 6-9-2012. Denver Post. “2012 deaths from Colorado wildfires.” 6-29-2012.”

 

South Dakota (4)

— 4  WBTV. “National Guard releases names of airmen killed in plane crash.” 7-2-2012.

—  4  NCNG Plane Crash, SD. WSOCTV. “Guard says support ‘overwhelming’…” 7-6-2012.

—  2  CO.  Fox News. “Two deaths reportedly linked to raging Colorado wildfire.” 3-29-2012.

 

General Narrative Information

 

Gruver: “Cheyenne, Wyo. (AP) Firefighters around the West took advantage of moderating conditions to make inroads against wildfires that have destroyed homes, forces residents to evacuate and burned hundreds of thousands of acres of timber and brush.

 

“But a new wildfire near Redding, Calif., was causing problems early Friday, just hours after it was spotted and quickly grew to 1,200 acres. Authorities say the fire is threatening dozens of homes and has forced evacuations.

 

“In Colorado, crews expect to fully contain the state’s most destructive wildfire by Friday. Colorado Springs officials lifted evacuation orders for 126 more homes at the 28-square-mile Waldo Canyon fire, which damaged or destroyed nearly 350 homes and killed two people.  Coroner’s officials identified the victims as 74-year-old William Everett and his wife, Barbara, 73.  Authorities said Thursday that they know where the fire started but did not disclose the location. The cause was under investigation.

 

“In Wyoming and Montana Thursday, firefighters took advantage of a lull in searing heat and shifting winds to attack wildfires.  Temperatures in the mid-80s, higher humidity and calm winds aided crews battling the 95-square-mile Oil Creek fire just northwest of Newcastle, a town of about 3,500 near northeast Wyoming’s Black Hills. About 25 families were evacuated from Newcastle’s outskirts. The fire was 40 percent contained.

 

“In southeast Wyoming, heavy air power, including four large air tankers, helped increase containment of the 16-square-mile Squirrel Creek fire to 51 percent. The tankers included two military C130s from a fleet that was reduced to seven Monday when one crashed in South Dakota’s Black Hills.  “We really knocked it for a change, instead of us getting whacked,” said Larry Helmerick, spokesman at the fire. Authorities planned to allow more people to return to dozens of evacuated summer cabins near the Colorado line in Medicine Bow National Forest.

 

“Firefighters also reported progress on a 145-square-mile fire surrounding Laramie Peak, about 100 miles northwest of Cheyenne.

 

“In southeastern Montana, more than 1,300 personnel took advantage of calm winds and temperatures in the 80s to make headway on five blazes that officials are now managing as one 480-square-mile wildfire complex so they can quickly deploy resources among the blazes.  “Slow and steady. We want the lines to hold,” fire information officer Dixie Dies said.

 

“High winds and triple-digit temperatures in central and southeastern Montana fanned the blazes earlier this week.  The 390-square-mile Ash Creek fire was about 70 percent contained. Some ranches and homes near Ashland remained threatened, and Highway 212 between Ashland and Broadus was still closed.

 

“At the 72-square-mile Taylor Creek fire near Ft. Howes, managers worked to connect fire lines dug by local residents. The complex also included the Powerline fire, about 30 miles from Hysham. Firefighters contained a late Wednesday run of 400 acres on that blaze.

 

“In Utah, rain and cooler temperatures helped crews hold fire lines on the 8,200-acre Shingle fire about 30 miles southeast of Cedar City. The fire threatened 550 cabins and summer homes in Dixie National Forest.  Up to a quarter-inch of rain fell on Utah’s largest wildfire, the 160-square-mile Clay Springs fire east of Delta. The blaze was 64 percent contained….” (Gruver, Mead (AP). “Western Wildfire Crews Helped By Moderating Weather.” 7-6-2012.)

 

Colorado

 

Mitchell: “Sam Lucas. Age: 77. Died in the Lower North Fork Fire.  Sam Lucas worked as mechanical engineer for Western Electric. After retirement, he and wife Moaneti moved to Colorado to be near their children and grandchildren. Sam taught Sunday school classes to adults at their church in Littleton. He and Moaneti were high school sweethearts and had been married for 58 years.

 

“Linda Moaneti Lucas. Age: 76. Died in the Lower North Fork Fire….”  (Denver Post. “2012 deaths from Colorado wildfires.” 6-29-2012.”)

 

“They bought property on Eagle Vista Road near Conifer and built their dream house.”  (Mitchell, Kirk. “Retirees who died in the Lower North Fork Fire reveled in dream house.” Denver Post, 3-29-2012.)

 

Robles: “Ann Appel. Age: 51. Died in the Lower North Fork Fire.   Ann Appel was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and attended Iowa State University. She worked in a hospital lab after earning a medical technology degree. Ann married Scott Appel in 1989 and moved to Evergreen. They have two sons Evan and Austin….”  (Denver Post. “2012 deaths from Colorado wildfires.” 6-29-2012.”)

 

“….Appel, 51, was one of three victims claimed by the Lower North Fork fire on March 26. The fire burned 4,140 acres and destroyed 27 homes — including the one Appel designed for her family….

 

“Monday morning just before the fire broke out, Appel’s two sons, Evan, 21, and Austin, 19, had just left for Moab, Utah, to spend a few days riding bikes. Appel had sent them off with home-baked oatmeal raisin cookies and granola bars.

 

“When she saw smoke she called Scott [husband], and as they had done countless times before, he advised her to call 911 to report the fire just to be safe. “It was only common sense,” Scott said. “Controlled burns were not unusual, but you just never know living out there. She remained calm.” When Appel called 911, she said smoke was blowing over her house.  “Yeah, it’s about 5 acres and growing, so they’ve got crews on the way,” the dispatcher told her.

 

“When evacuation calls started going out hours later, Appel was not notified because her address was inaccurately listed as being in Morrison instead of Littleton in databases used to warn people when there is an emergency.

 

“It was an avoidable tragedy affecting a selfless person, Scott said.” (Robles, Yesenia. “Colorado wildfire victim Ann Appel remembered as selfless, excelling in artistic endeavors.” Denver Post, 4-8-2012.)

June 29: “Linda Steadman, 62, was taken…by the High Park Fire on Saturday, June 9, 2012. Linda Steadman operated the Steadman Ranch near Stove Prairie west of Fort Collins. She took over the family cattle ranch when she was in her early 20s. She is survived by husband, Lee Wayman; children, Tristram Steadman Post, Christopher Steadman and Brook Steadman; and eight grandchildren.”  (Denver Post. “2012 deaths from Colorado wildfires.” 6-29-2012.”)

 

South Dakota

 

WBTV, Charlotte NC: “The North Carolina National Guard has released the names of all four airmen who were killed when the C-130 tanker they were in crashed while battling a wildfire in South Dakota. According to a National Guard spokesperson, 42-year-old Lt. Col. Paul K. Mikeal of Mooresville, 50-year-old Senior Master Sergeant Robert Cannon of Charlotte, 36-year-old Major Joseph McCormick of Belmont and 35-year-old Major Ryan S. David of Boone were all killed in the crash….

 

“Two other airmen were also injured when a C-130 Hercules belonging to the 145th Airlift Wing based out of Charlotte crashed on Sunday night…. The crew and its aircraft along with two other 145th C-130s and three dozen airmen flew from Charlotte to Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., Saturday to assist with fighting forest fires in the Rocky Mountain region. They were due to move to a base in Cheyenne, Wyo., on Monday.

 

“The crash occurred around 6:30 p.m. mountain time near Edgemont, S.D., as the crew assisted with battling what is being called the White Draw fire. Military spokeswoman Capt. Ruth Castro tells The Associated Press that the tanker made at least two drops of fire retardant material on the fire before crashing….” (WBTV, Charlotte, NC: “National Guard releases names of airmen killed in plane crash.” 7-2-2012, updated 8-1-2012.)

 

WSOCTV: NC National Guard Fire-Fighting C130 Plane Crash, South Dakota. (WSOCTV, Charlotte. “Guard says support ‘overwhelming’ in wake of 4 wildfire deaths.” 7-6-2012.)

 

Sources

 

Denver Post. “2012 deaths from Colorado wildfires.” 6-29-2012.” Accessed 7-12-2012 at: http://www.denverpost.com/wildfires/ci_20974018/2012-deaths-from-colorado-wildfires

 

Fox News. “Two deaths reportedly linked to raging Colorado wildfire.” 3-29-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012: http://video.foxnews.com/v/1534558213001/two-deaths-reportedly-linked-to-raging-colorado-wildfire/

 

Gruver, Mead (AP). “Western Wildfire Crews Helped By Moderating Weather.” 7-6-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/06/western-wildfires-2012-weather_n_1653353.html

 

Mitchell, Kirk. “Retirees who died in the Lower North Fork Fire reveled in dream house.” Denver Post, 3-29-2012. Accessed 7-12-2012: http://www.denverpost.com/wildfires/ci_20278302

 

Robles, Yesenia. “Colorado wildfire victim Ann Appel remembered as selfless, excelling in artistic endeavors.” Denver Post, 4-8-2012. http://www.denverpost.com/wildfires/ci_20349435

 

WBTV, Charlotte, NC: “National Guard releases names of airmen killed in plane crash.” 7-2-2012, updated 8-1-2012. Accessed 9-28-2012 at: http://www.wbtv.com/story/18932172/nc-national-guard-plane-crashes-while-fighting-colorado-wildfires

 

WSOCTV, Charlotte. “Guard says support ‘overwhelming’ in wake of 4 wildfire deaths.” 7-6-2012. http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/national-govt-politics/guard-says-support-overwhelming-wake-4-wildfire-de/nPnkN/