The Silver Lining
The High Park Fire in Fort Collins, Colo., has consumed at least 189 homes since its birth on June 9, destroying the most private property of any wildfire in Colorado history.
But amidst the clouds of smoke and consuming flames, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Spokesman Randy Hampton said there's still a small silver lining to be found.
Hampton's job is a difficult one. His heart goes out to the firefighters risking their lives and those who have lost their homes, and the fire has already brought a great deal of grief to his home state.
His job, however, is also to assure people that the local wildlife and its habitants will be able to bounce back from the disaster.
"The one thing our agency has tried very hard to do is to make sure people don't think we're acting like this [fire] is a good thing," he said.
From a wildlife habitat perspective, the High Park Fire could have been even more devastating than it is. The fire's unique time and location is what saved the lives of many animals, Hampton said.
The fire began early June in a year where there has been such a warm spring, which drove migratory animals into cooler areas -- in this case, up.
The High Park Fire, located at "mid-level" elevation, was therefore not a major threat to the animals that had already moved to higher elevation in search of cooler temperatures.
"If you look at where this fire is burning, there's plenty of higher elevation areas for these animals to go to," Hampton said. "The fire will keep moving, but the animals will keep going, too."
Fire is ironically one of the tools that the Colorado Parks and Wildlife agency uses to benefit the wildlife. When the forest canopy becomes too thick in some areas, sunlight can't penetrate to provide the necessary nutrients for ground-dwelling plants.
When plants become old and decadent, they're incapable of producing the same quality and quantity of fruit that many forest animals use as their food sources. Young plants replacing the old ones after a fire can help wildlife, especially because the fire's ash creates nutrients within the soil.
"People assume fire only devastates and destroys everything, but there's some benefits in the fire aftermath," he said.
The Remaining Struggle
Yet the High Park Fire continues to threaten the homes of Fort Collins residents, and as far as wildlife goes, there are still major issues troubling the Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
"The biggest challenge will be the fish, Hampton said."
In the short-term effect, streams and creeks collect ash from the fire that clogs the fish's gills.
However, there's also a long-term effect that damages not just the fish, but all animals in the forest that use these streams for a source of water. Sediment from the fire builds up and acts as a dam to waterways, blocking off the streams from reaching other parts of the forest and eroding the surrounding landscape.
Besides the fire, Colorado residents also have to keep an eye out for something else, bears. With severe drought conditions and fires destroying their homes, bears are fleeing the forests and moving into residential areas in search of food and water.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife issued a press release warning people to watch out for an increase in bear activity. With thousands being forced to evacuate their homes, Hampton said the bears are being drawn to the rotting food that was left behind.
The best way to avoid contact with a bear is to throw away your garbage in a well-secured location instead of just leaving it out on the street.
Hampton said Parks and Wildlife officers and firefighters alike are making sure the danger from both the fire and its aftereffects are kept to a minimum.
"Our thoughts go out to the people fighting the fire and losing homes in the fire," he said. "We want the public to know that wildlife will survive and in some cases, wildlife habitants will thrive."
The High Plains and portions of Texas will become the targets of spotty, but violent storms Friday evening.
Another plunge of chilly air will set the stage for the risk of a frost and freeze centered Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and other nearby states this weekend.
During Sunday's race, the skies will be variably cloud with the risk of a few showers.
Severe weather and drenching downpours will affect parts of the Plains and Midwest over the Memorial Day Weekend.
With one day remaining before Memorial Day weekend, the Sandy-battered Jersey coastline is hustling to finish last-minute preparations.
The Memorial Day weekend will begin nasty with wind, rain and chill in New England and part of the mid-Atlantic.
Philadelphia, PA (1992)
A dramatic cold frontal passage. Early afternoon temperature over 80 degrees fell to a late-day reading in the 40s.
Snowstorm across state; daytime accumulation of 4-6".
Inland snowstorm from New Jersey to New England; 4" of snow at Berkshire County, MA.