The Spring Fire 2018
Our Story Told Through Text Messages and Photos
July 11, 2018
 
The following is the account of the fire from our  perspective (Ricky Tims and Justin Shults) primarily via the text messages and photos that were exchanged. The following is an abridged version but includes the most critical messages relating to the fire over several days.  As of this posting, the fire has burned 107,967 acres and is 85% contained. There have been over 150 homes/structures destroyed and  100+ damaged.

The first photo shows our 40 acre parcel, parcel number 30, called Autumn Rock (AR). The photo is from the vantage point of our new house, prior to building the house. The grassy area shown here is where the house now sits. The rock is a sacred landmark for us. The entire Yellowstone Creek Ranch, a 2200 acre parcel-divided, gated, and covenant-protected ranch community, was burned. In the ranch were five houses, our little cabin, and our tipi. The tipi sat on a large wooden deck with a fire pit inside. Two homes on the ranch were totally destroyed. The cabin and tipi are ashes. The map is provided for a general reference.
 
 
 
The following is the account our experience.
 
When this incident started, I was attending Bernina University in Chicago. I had just arrived at the Hyatt downtown when I got the first text and photo from Justin. Brandy is a rancher on the other side of the mountains (Rough, Mestas, Silver) from La Veta. Her ranch is on the road just before Yellowstone Creek Ranch. Scott and Mike are landowners in YCR who were out on the ranch keeping us updated from the other side. My niece Toi became our personal “command central” feeding us links, information, and much appreciated update.

 
Wednesday, June 27
3:59pm
 
Justin: “Fire near Forbes”. (photo, taken from deck of La Veta house)

Ricky: “Oh dear!” 
 

 
 
Thursday
2:48pm

J: Thirty homes, winds at 50mph at the pass, and burning 350 acres per hour.
 

 
 
 
Thursday
5:17pm
 
J: Winds really picking up dammit

J: They have pulled ground crews off of fire.. too dangerous

J: I’m eating and then going to get stuff from AR.  Middle Creek on mandatory evac.
 
 
Thursday
7:51pm
 
Justin takes photo from Autumn Rock while collecting all quilts, art, and computers. See eave of house in photo.
 
 
Thursday
9:32pm
 
J: Sent photo above

R: OMG!

Justin has returned from Autumn Rock and is collecting all quilts and computers from our retreat center and offices. The fire has topped the ridge west of town. La Veta is placed on pre-evacuation. He has loaded the trailer with only quilts, art, and computers and business files. The fire is only 5 miles away and coming down the mountains directly toward La Veta. Justin takes this photo from the deck of our La Veta house. 

 
 
Thursday
night
 
This photo was taken by a volunteer fireman looking to the west on Ryus Ave. Our retreat center is just past the street light on the left.

R: I’m not comfortable

J: Just heard it jumped highway (Hwy 160) 

 

 

 







J: Just got back to house, can’t see that it’s across Hwy from here.

R: ok - I guess not being there may be more unnerving - I can’t see, hear, or fully realize what it going on

J: Yes... I understand.  I’m safe and ready.. let that be comfort. I got this... this is what I do
     
 
Friday
5:47am
 
R: I’m up. Slept from about 2-5. 

J: Went to bed at 3 trying to catch a bit now.

J: Just heard why the big supertanker based in Colorado Springs isn’t helping....they say because it doesn’t have a contract to work in this part of the state.  Like WTF???
     
 
Friday
12:57pm
 
J: 24k acres. Wanna do frontal attack in the meadows below the hills west of town. Trying to keep it from crossing 160 again.

R: First class ok. I deal with my worry issue with them first. Then teach. So they know where my brain is. 



     
 
Friday
4:52pm
 
J: Heard it jumped 160 again but can’t get any info

R: As a reference - you can see the BLM and state land which shows our parcel. (Autumn Rock is the tiny yellow square outlined in red.)

J: Flaring up again on the south side

R: Not good for Cuchara

J: I think it’s still farther away from Cuchara than us though.

R: Scott Brown just texted - "heard it jumped 160 too" - but he didn’t site a source

J: Fire is burning up south face of Mestas

R: What a catastrophe - I’m still just lost
     
 
Friday
8:59pm
 
R: Are there big flames like before?

J: No.. I only see some small ones every once in awhile on the southern end

R: I’ll try to sleep - but not sure I can. I don’t know how you can if you can

J: I think I will be able to cuz I’m really sleepy. I feel pretty good about LV right now and since I can’t see anything on Mestas  don’t know what to think.

J: Good news is I don’t see that (similar flames seen in photo at left) in Mestas anywhere 

     
 
Saturday
8:09am
 
R: This is an online map showing fire progress - I added the yellow landmarks (Autumn Rock, Uptop)

J: So based on the scale of miles, the closest fire on that map is 3.1 miles from this house.

R: Today will be a story for sure

J: It looks like there is an isolated hot spot on the north side of Mestas. Thats not a good sign if that’s a fire. That’s 1k away (from Autumn Rock)
 
Saturday
8:54am
 
R: I’m expecting it all to go

J: Yes, it may indeed...but let’s not give up hope.

J: I hear planes. See smoke on Mestas now west of Tres Valles (photo)

R: Would you mind if I ask Brandy and Jon to get the Hanley painting? I realized just now in shower it’s probably the only painting of north side of Mestas. (Justin was not able to get the large Joan Hanley painting due to its size and space in his truck.)

J: Or Scott if he’s still up there.  That way she doesn’t have to drive back up.  She needs to know it’s big

J:   AND only if it’s safe.  Don’t put anyone in harms way if there is fire up there

R:  I just texted Scott and he’s still at the ranch. Trying to get eyes on that hot spot of Mestas north side
  
 
 

 
R: This from Chris Hudson (fireman), "Just a heads up, looks like the fire is trying to run north around the west side of Mestas. (map shows two possible entry points)

J: Yes... I’m hearing planes over that direction and a helicopter

R: Scott just texted and said there are planes and choppers flying over that spot in Mestas/Rough Mt. gap. I’m sorry but I’m sobbing.

J:  I’m sorry….
did you hear more info?
 
 
Saturday
11:19
 
R: No. Here’s a pic Brandi sent just now 
(photo of Autumn Rock)

J: Ok..I’m seeing that plume from here barely.

J:  I love you and we’ll get thru this whatever happens.

R:  I love you and yes we will
 
     
 
Saturday
2:25pm
 
J: I see fire on the saddle!! (photo)

R: I don’t think it will ever stop. 

J: Yes, it’s getting bigger.
     
 
Saturday
4:19pm
 
R: This from Brandy, "We have a breach the smoke is on this side I do not see Flames yet but it has come over.” (photo)


     
 
Saturday
4:26pm
 
J: I just can’t imagine it didn’t run down Wade’s (parcel 29 next to ours). The fire is all along the saddle. It looks to be officially on Silver. (photo)

J: Jesper Jorgenson 52 was arrested for Arson.  His address was in Forbes.

J: And now the winds are out of the east again and gonna push it up and over the ridge!

J: Zerrings, Thompson’s, Mary d’Mayo, Cox, they lost their homes in Middle Creek


     
 
Saturday
4:49pm
 
R: Sent map photo

J: I’ve just seen flame on Silver. Is your AR button correct or a guess?

R: BTW - Scott got the painting.
     
 
Saturday
5:20pm
 
R: Brandy sent photo and texted, "I understand the wind has turned towards the West so now the smoke and fire is going up the east side of Mestas and not coming down Yellowstone”

J: ok...helo’s are dropping on the ridge. That might be helping. We’re up to 480 personnel and it’s over 41k acres. Forbes south is horrific. Jim and Peggy might lose their cabin now.

R: Oh dear. That’s just heading to Cuchara

     
 
Saturday
8:09pm
 
R: From Scott: "Fire is close to the ridge above 29. I have left the main gates open in case fire crews need access. I will close them after this is over.”

J: I knew the fire had to be close to the ridge. I know...wasn't anybody in there all day

R: Scott was there a long time - apparently.
I didn’t hear any report of firemen in YCR

J: The helicopters had to see two houses though!!
 
Saturday night
 
There was no way of knowing what was going on, but if the fire indeed had topped Silver and was on 29, we were very close. Still in Chicago, I did not sleep at all that night.
 
Sunday
7:07am
 
J: I wonder if I can get in there this morning?

R: Hmm. Only via Hwy 69. My guess 

J:  I’m headed that way. Taking Bella with me. May not get there but gotta know! If I can see anything do u want to know?
(photo of Bella riding shotgun)

R: The more I know the better I can brace or just know.

8:10am
J: Zoomed all the way in and I can see the rock but not the house.
J: I think I see Jose & Lisa's house and it’s ok.  
 
 
 
Sunday
9:16am
 
Justin sent this photo! Tears of relief!
 
 
… and this!
 

 
 
… and this!
 
Our neighbor’s house. Jose and Lisa
 
11:42am
 
Justin is back in La Veta

J: Burnt Aspen leaves and bark in yard (photo)

R: Maybe save them. Art

J: Finally hearing planes but so smokey, I have no idea where or what they’re working.

R: Every time I see photos of smokey and haze I feel that that’s progress. It’s those humongous plumes that really feel scary

J: Chris Dotter (road worker) said he had been out ‘smoothing’ the roads for the fire crews.

4:18PM
J: Blowing up again

J:  Now big flames at top of ridge.
 
 
Sunday
8:41pm
 
I finished my evening presentation for the final night of Bernina University.

J: This from Scott and Mike just now - and they are leaving… (photo)

The landowners had stayed to watch as long as possible from a ridge high above our house. Here, the fire is in the meadow creeping down Parcel 29. It is less than 100 yards from the house.

I gave in to the inevitable for the second time. I was exhausted from the lack of sleep from the previous night. Before midnight, sleep took over. I was up early to catch my flight to Colorado Springs. It was finally time to go home.
 
     
 
Monday
6:15am
My niece, Toi, joins the conversation. She was monitoring updated fire maps, tweets, official sites, and essentially became our “control central" from Murfreesboro  TN.
 
J: I’m contemplating trying to sneak in the back way to see if I can see anything!!

6:50am Toi: Thinking of you both so much. So glad you will be together in a few hours! 

6:51 R: And still holding out that we had enough mitigation

J: Thx Toi...I feel the love 

(Heat map link sent)

T: Latest heat map 

J: that looks promising (promising because of closeup view, see next map)

T: It does!  They said it was overnight analysis done using infrared tech. Not sure if that is a disclaimer or what. They did say that they have been asked not to post total acreage lost yet. 
The map posted at 7 am our time. (central time)
     
 
Monday
8:13am
 
8:12 J: So the house is a hotspot?
(Looking back at this, Justin thinks this hotspot might be fire mitigation. Ricky doesn’t yet feel any back burning was done).

8:13 T: It says it is updated 1x/hour

8:19 R: I’m also being hopeful (once again against hope), that since Brandy’s photo didn’t have black plumes that it’s just brush and tree smoke

8:20 T: I am hoping it has moved off. Yes. Hope against hope. Also, maybe the hot spot was beetle kill trees on the ridge? 

8:22 J: If they are not air dropping today, and it didn’t burn overnight, with the hotspots and wind it’s still dire.  Hoping to get 👀 on it.

9:02 T: And I can’t stop crying. Someone will be able to put eyes on it at the very least. This has been one HELL of a rollercoaster ride. And I know y’all feel it so much more than I do. I just love y’all so much. 

9:02 R: Me too

They are just about the close the doors on the plane. Justin calls Toi and me to tell us he has just gone to the command center in Walsenburg and shown the photo of the fire creeping to our house that had been taken the previous night. They told him they have a firetruck going out there. This news brought great joy as we feared no-one had been on the ranch to assess our situation.

9:05 T: Thank you, Justin. 

9:05 T: Thank you so much for trying to save not just the house but that beautiful portion of mountain paradise. 🙏🙏🙏

9:06 J: I'm just trying everything I can think of

During this time Justin attempts to get to YCR. He sees a crew truck on YCR, and not wanting to be sent away, turns away and goes to a different vantage point. We do not know if these were spotters or fire mitigators. But obviously someone had their eyes on the situation.

10:00am - texted while I’m in flight
J: I see the house 
I see the house 
I see the house!!

Toi: Oh, lord!! Yes!!

J: Smoke on our southern parcel line. I’m a good 5-6 miles away, trying to get closer

J: Yes house is still standing

Toi: Big sigh. Huge sigh

10:38 J: Everything on Hill behind the house is burnt!

10:50 J: Wind is picking up seeing flames over the back ridge


     
 
Monday
11:00am
 
I landed in Colorado Springs and read the the above. I could not believe the house was still there. I got my car and drive almost two hours to meet Justin who is watching the fire and house from a ridge about 4 miles away. The following texts come in as I made my way to his vantage point.

11:31 R: (to Toi) So Justin just watched the main area between AR and watchman blow up. That is all the dead trees and the wind seems to be shifting unfavorably. (The Wachman is a face created by a large stand of trees on the side of Mestas looking over our valley.)

11:32 T: Not good news. 

11:32 J: LaVeta is safe... they’re trying to save Cuchara

11:34 T: It is so close. Praying for winds to shift. 

11:35 J: Need a northerly wind bad!!

11:38 R: Wishing I had that kind of power.

11:46 J: Moonshine Ranch (our neighboring ranch) just came speeding up to me.  Thought I was a fire man. He's trying to contact resources too as it’s about to drop down the ridge into there.

11:57 J: Blowing big time!  Last ridge behind house... seeing flames here 

12:01 J: I’m afraid this is going to get us within the hour!

12:01 J: Fire topped the ridge in Moonshine

12:01 J: Observatory on fire (our highest point).

12:04 J: Helicopter is working Moonshine, but nothing for us!

12:16 J: Fire in trees on Jeep trail to the Hills are Alive (a high meadow next to us)

12: 19 J: I think the house just lit

12: 19 J: Saw flame either on house or right behind. Can’t tell

     
 
Monday
12:22pm
 
12:22 J: I can’t see anything right now

12:40 J: Everything completely obscured by smoke

12:48 J: Plume to east of UFO is Jeep trail trees
(the UFO grove is a stand of trees in a meadow we call The Hills Are Alive and the jeep trail goes from the Autumn Rock to that meadow).

I met up with Justin about 1:30pm. The monster is either burning or just finished burning our parcel at Autumn Rock and moving down the ranch consuming everything in its path. 

     
 
Monday
3:10
 
We stood on the ridge for over two hours watching the scene unfold and taking photos. There was a sense of acceptance. It was horrifying, heartbreaking, and yet amazing to watch. We felt as if we were at the beside of a dying loved one - saying goodbye. There were no tears.

3:10 R: My view (photo)

3:14 T: That is just an incredible image. 

3:15 R: Other than devastating it’s amazing to witness. And I’m so much better being here 

3:41 R: I’m 99% all of our 40 are burned. The house? Still up in the air. I wanted to wait to see if smoke cleared to look for a shiny roof. But that would take too long now. All will be revealed in time

For three days there was no way to know if the house was spared, but we held to a 5% chance it might have managed to survive the flames.
 
 
Tuesday night Jose and Lisa arrived from Florida to stay with us in La Veta.

Wednesday - July 4
4:35pm
We received this image from Toi who is still our personal guru of command central. We are able to zoom in. It was fuzzy but here is what we discovered.
 
                                                               
 
 
In the zoomed version of the satellite map we could see the roads in Yellowstone Creek Ranch. The orange is burn and the green is not.
 

 
 
The shiny spec looked suspiciously like a roof reflection. And there is slight green all around it. Jose and Lisa’s house looks to be surrounded by green.

Our hopes went from 5% to 50% that maybe our houses were spared. Our sprits move to the "cautiously optimistic" stage.
 

 
 
Thursday - July 5
4:22pm
 
We receive these three photos from a landowner who was able to put eyes on our place. His message was: “Unscathed”. 
 
 

 

 
 

 

 
Sunday - July 8
 
All roads leading into our ranch had been closed since Wednesday July 4th, and the National Guard was posted at all entrances. We received a call from the National Guard to meet them Sunday morning. We managed to get in for an hour or so to see the devastation first hand. A few photos are posted here. Many others can been seen on the link below.

The most asked question has been in regards to smoke damage or smell. There is no smoke damage and the inside of the house (which was completed March 2018) smells like fresh paint and new wood. No smoke smell at all.

Our little log cabin, the Bertie Marie, is in ashes, as well as our tipi and deck.

The fact the house is untouched - literally untouched - is a miracle.