On Saturday, June 23, the Waldo Canyon Fire erupted on the northwestern part of Colorado Springs - a city and region that is home to more than 600,000 people and the headquarters to more than 100 ministries including the National Day of Prayer (NDP) Task Force. This fire quickly spread without hindrance igniting tree after tree, consuming the earth with every passing minute - growing rapidly in size and without clear direction due to high winds. Over the past few days it has more than tripled in size, passing into neighborhoods, and completely destroying historical landmarks. We've seen dozens of homes destroyed, over 32,000 people displaced, and close to 16,000 acres consumed - and the fires are still burning! We have loaded some pictures to our Facebook page (taken from our office window) to give you a better sense of the size and proximity to the city.
John Bornschein
Vice Chairman
National Day of Prayer Task Force
Fires are raging across the Midwest throughout Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Colorado. This recent addition, the Waldo Canyon Fire, only compounds the issue as we deplete firefighting resources while families are impacted across these very dry states. Conditions are creating the perfect storm - high heat, drought, and high winds. To top things off, deployed aircraft were turned around, at one point, while fighting another fire in western Colorado due to a meteor shower. Obviously, there is little more to add other than it is time to pray with great earnestness that the Lord would provide relief from the elements.
The NDP Task Force is organizing a NATIONAL EMERGENCY PRAYER CALL, today, at 2 pm MT. To participate, dial 712-432-0075 and enter the pass-code, 4961322#
Please join us for this critical and powerful time of prayer. In the midst of such devastation, the NDP Task Force is engaged in offering what support we can to our local community. We are helping to provide assistance through Care and Share and Mercy's Gate, two local organizations that are providing much needed food and supplies to those who have been evacuated and displaced during this time of crisis. We are also working with the team at Convoy of Hope as they prepare to join in on local relief. Please keep all of these efforts in your prayers!
Thank you for making plans now to join us from 4-5pm ET today for the NATIONAL EMERGENCY PRAYER CALL.
John Bornschein
Vice Chairman
National Day of Prayer Task Force
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We are praying here in Northeast Louisiana. In fact, our church body prayed tonight. Has the body of Christ in Colorado gone to the fire and demanded it to die - to go no further? God has given the body of Christ power and authority over the raging fire, to speak to it and command that it die.
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Hundreds of Homes Destroyed In Colorado Springs Area Due To Devastating Fire
But there are now reports that for some, things are getting better
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (ANS) -- The devastating fire that has been raging near to Colorado Springs, Colorado, base to many Christian ministries, has destroyed hundreds of homes and seen some 32,000 people being evacuated because of the danger of the fire.
The fire rages on Pike's Peak
Rick Wood, editor of Mission Frontiers magazine, and his wife, Lorena, have just released a message in which they said, "The fire situation in Colorado Springs has improved significantly over the last 24 hours. The firefighters said they had a good day of firefighting yesterday and the maps indicate the fire did not gain much new territory.
"The temperatures were down, humidity was up and the winds were calm. No new areas in Colorado Springs are under mandatory evacuation. The fire was not advancing further east into the city. It appears that it is advancing further west and north on the other side of the ridge away from Colorado Springs. There is still one neighborhood on the west side of Colorado Springs that is still being threatened by the flames."
Still, for many, the nightmare has continued in Colorado Springs - the state's second most populous city -- and the surrounding areas, with hundreds of homes destroyed and more than 32,000 people being forced to leave their homes because of the fire.
The devastating fire destroyed many homes
He went on to say, "On Tuesday, the damage was at 6,200 acres until fierce winds more than doubled the burn area overnight, prompting the evacuations; among those evacuated were thousands of people from the U.S. Air Force Academy.
"The Waldo Canyon fire is just one of several burning in Colorado and in several other Western states. But the fire in Colorado Springs has been one of the fastest-moving and remains unrestrained."
He added that in Boulder, the Flagstaff fire, about 1.5 miles outside the city, remains a threat, but less so than earlier in the week. Officials said that about 300 acres have burned and that the fire was about 30% contained.
"We are in much better shape today," Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle told reporters Thursday.
The state's largest fire, the High Park fire, about 15 miles west of Fort Collins, Colorado, was about 75% contained. More than 87,200 acres have been consumed since the fire began June 9. Full containment is expected around July 15.
In their message, the Wood's also states that it wasn't all good news from the area.
A house goes up in flames
"For those who know Colorado Springs, the Flying W. Ranch was lost during this firestorm. There is one church very close to this area that has hosted Perspectives classes which at the moment appears to have survived the flames.
"For Lorena and I, the main issue has been the smoke and how it has affected her. We have seriously considered leaving. Pray for wisdom as to what we should do."
They added, "Pray for continued calm winds. Pray for significant rain without lightning. Pray also that God would bring revival to the people of this city as a result of these events."
Journalist Allison J. Althoff, in a report about the situation, said that although the wildfire has more than doubled in size, most of Navigators'* buildings in the area are reportedly "untouched so far."
Glen Eyrie Castle
Althoff then wrote, "Flames currently surround Eagle Lake Camp on all sides, but sources on the ground claim the horses have been corralled, firefighters are holding the lines, and only one cabin has been consumed. All campsites have been evacuated since Saturday afternoon."
She added that Navigators are currently running "essential operations" out of Focus on the Family's offices.
"The body of Christ really sprang to life here," she quoted Cantwell as saying. "When we evacuated Saturday night, we had several different churches open their doors right away. Dozens of our staff people have been displaced from their homes, and we're currently operating from Focus on the Family's headquarters. They've been fantastic."
Althoff said that no official numbers have been released as to how many structures have burned, but Flying W Ranch, an off-site event destination for past Evangelical Press Association conventions, is reportedly "a total loss."
"Things are surreal and somewhat chaotic here," EPA president Dean Ridings stated in a press release on Wednesday afternoon. "My family is among some 32,000 who have evacuated.. We're trusting in the Lord, grateful that there have been no reported deaths or even injuries. There's a strong sense of unity that 'we're all in this together.'"
Althoff concluded by saying that officials say the fire won't likely be contained before mid-July, as it has consumed over 15,000 acres and high winds pose a significant challenge to workers on the ground. Smoke hangs densely over Colorado Springs, and homes that have not been directly affected by flame are likely to have incurred smoke damage.
"Our hope is not in buildings - the Navigators are not a bunch of buildings," Cantwell said. "We're people who care about people. That's what our ministry's all about."
* The Navigators is an international, interdenominational Christian ministry established in 1933. Navigators are people who love Jesus Christ and desire to help others know and grow in Him as they "navigate" through life.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
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ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
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Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Colorado Springs under threat as 32,000 flee Waldo fire
There are also fires in Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Utah
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (ANS) -- Colorado Springs, a center for many Christian ministries, is under siege tonight (Wednesday, June 27, 2012) as 32,000 residents have been forced to flee the raging wildfires that have also hit six other US states.
The flames get worse
"Traffic and smoke choked the streets as people left Colorado Springs and a nearby US Air Force Academy," said the BBC.
"Evacuation orders were issued for much of the city as the fire doubled in size to over 24 square miles and some 800 firefighters have been deployed."
A local newspaper reported the one Colorado Springs hospital has reported it had treated about 20 patients in the last 24 hours for respiratory-related illnesses.
The Waldo Canyon Fire, which began on Saturday, has been fanned towards Colorado Springs by winds of up to 65 mph.
"It was like looking at the worst movie set you could imagine," Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper said after surveying the fire from the air on Tuesday.
"It's almost surreal. You look at that, and it's like nothing I've seen before."
Helicopters battle the Wood Hollow Fire, north of Fairview, Utah, June 26, 2012
(Photo: George Frey, Reuters)
Heavy ash and smoke was billowing from the hillsides west of Colorado Springs and southbound traffic was temporarily closed on Interstate 25, which runs through the city.
Colorado Springs Fire Chief, Rich Brown, called the firestorm threatening his city - in a metropolitan area of more than 650,000 people - "a monster" and said that flames were "not even remotely close to being contained."
Colorado Wildfires Threaten Navigators' Camps
In a story, journalist Allison J. Althoff has written, "Among the Colorado wildfires drawing national attention today, the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs poses an immediate threat to the Navigators' Glen Eyrie Conference Center and Eagle Lake Camp properties.
"The blaze, which has spread over 5,000 acres in three days, was only at 5 percent containment today, reports ABC News Colorado.
"Hundreds of workers are currently on the ground battling the blaze, which has burned down an Eagle Lake tent platform and come dangerously close to its barn, auto shop, and maintenance director's home."
The story went on to quote Melissa Anderson, a 24-year-old Glen Eyrie resident and friend of Eagle Lake's maintenance directors, as saying:
"They've been praying God would raise walls of protection around the camp. Apparently, the fire went through the barn area and auto shop and came all the way up to their house, where the firefighters are fighting it off now. They're trying hard to save the camp and the buildings."
Althoff went on to say, "Fortunately, there were no campers Saturday when the blaze broke out, as the camp is now surrounded on three sides by walls of flame. The horses on Eagle Lake property were set loose to run free for fear the flames and smoke would eventually consume them, and the fire currently looms on the lip of the canyon above the Glen Eyrie property.
"Though the fire hasn't yet reached Glen Eyrie, Anderson was evacuated with her sister and 6,000 other El Paso County citizens Saturday, shortly after the fire was first announced."
"The fire started around noon Saturday, and within 40 minutes of the initial announcement we had to leave," Anderson said. "It was a quick turnaround. We just started throwing random things in tubs, got in my car, and left."
The journalist added, "High winds pose a significant challenge to the fire's containment, but firefighters are currently on the ground at Eagle Lake and throughout El Paso County, fending off flames that threaten to consume the camp and surrounding woodlands.
"We're staying with friends in Colorado Springs, and you can see everything -- even the water getting sprayed," Anderson said. "You can see the flames moving across the ridge -- it's spreading like crazy."
She concluded her story by saying, "Evacuated Navigators employees are currently working out of Focus on the Family's offices, located several miles northeast of the blaze. The cause of the fire is still unknown, though some sources on the ground suspect arson." (ABC News & Paul Asay, Christianity Today contributor).
"Pray for calm winds that will not spread this fire"
Rick Wood, editor of the US Center for World Mission's Mission Frontiers magazine, sent out a message on behalf of himself and his family, which said, "Here is the latest news from fire-ravaged Colorado Springs. The Waldo Canyon fire exploded yesterday into the western side of Colorado Springs growing from 6000 acres scorched as of yesterday afternoon to over 15000 acres this morning. The fire chief called the events overnight, 'A firestorm of epic proportions.' Over 32,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes. Some neighborhoods have been hard hit while others have been spared. There have been no reports on the number of homes lost but there has been much video footage on the TV of many homes going up in flames.
"International Students Inc. (ISI) was having their national conference here at the Marriott hotel when they got the order to evacuate. We took a number of them into our home overnight."
Wood went on to say, "Over 900 firefighters from all over the state are working to contain the fire. Embers from the fire can travel up to half a mile and start new fires so firebreaks like highway 25 may not keep hot spots from flaring up on the east side as well.
"Please continue to pray for all those fighting this fire. Praise God that thus far no lives have been lost and no injuries reported among the fire fighters.
"We are huddled inside trying to stay away from the smoke that is blanketing the city. Lorena is sensitive to the smoke because of her lung condition. Pray for calm winds that will not spread this fire like it did yesterday. This remains a very dangerous and fluid situation."
"We need a miracle and rain"
Lisa Gibson with
a new friend in Libya
Lisa Gibson, the executive director of the Peace and Prosperity Alliance (www.peaceandprosperityalliance.org) and a regular correspondent for ANS, told us today: "I live in Colorado Springs, and have been evacuated since Saturday. It has been stressful to say the least. We really do need a miracle and rain.
"Last night, we had wind gusts of 65 mph and the fire jumped three ridges, running down a hill into a subdivision and destroying at least 100 structures. As you know we have quite a few Christian ministries in town and near the fire including Glen Eyrie. My subdivision was the first evacuated and had flames within feet of our homes."
Gibson is a Christian attorney who lost her brother Kenneth Gibson in the 1988 terrorist bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland and now works in Libya to bring reconciliation.
Another evacuee
William Agius and his family
William Agius, who help lead a ministry called the Oasis Project with Mission International (http://oasisprojectinternational.org which is ministering with the Persecuted Church in the Middle East, sent me a message today saying, "Our family is currently based in a small Colorado mountain town called Woodland Park - 30 minutes West of Colorado Springs.
"Today (Wednesday June 27th) we evacuated our home today because of the erratic behavior of this enormous fire.
"Ironically we were supposed to close today on selling our home in Woodland Park and then move to our new small home in Colorado Springs - to our amazement both homes are in the evacuation zones - we not only did not move today we have evacuated our home are now safely at a hotel watching carefully."
Flying W Ranch destroyed in the flames
Candy Snyder, a realtor in Frisco, Colorado, contacted ANS to let us know that the Flying W Ranch, which was an actual working mountain cattle ranch located in the foothills of Colorado Springs, has along with several homes in the Mountain Shadows area been burned to the ground.
A message posted on their website -- www.flyingw.com - says, "We ask that in this sad time that you remember the Flying W and the Wolfe family who has owned and operated the Flying W Ranch since 1953.
"If you have made an online reservation or a deposit your money will be refunded at a later date when we have had a chance to gather our thoughts. We ask that you pray for all the families within the area and assure you we will rebuild.
"All Our Love, Flying W Ranch Management, Staff and especially Ownership."
Logo
Each Sunday, services were held at the Church on the Ranch, in the grounds Flying W Ranch, can no longer meet there because of the fire.
A message said, "Please keep us and our city in your prayers during this trial. Graciously, God has provided us the allowance to meet at Penrose Stadium at 9:30 am this week. Penrose Stadium is located at 1045 W Rio Grande St. Colorado Springs, CO 80905."
Fire like a "hell on earth"
Mary Ramos, am ANS reader, has contacted us with the following message: "I live in the southeast side of Colorado Springs and have been praying as I have had to watch my precious city burn, my heart is broken by the devastation I am seeing.
"I am grateful that no injuries have been reported and no lives lost. But there have been many who have lost homes and a possibility of more as this fire will not be contained any time soon, it is growing at a rapid rate. Yesterday afternoon and through the night it was a surreal experience it looked and felt like hell on earth, watching the northwest side of the city burn and people struggling to evacuate these area, homes going up in flames and the city being covered in smoke and ash, the temperature reach 101 a record, with very low humidity, but we have had to keep our houses closed as the smoke has been so bad, and we are being warned not to be out in it.
"I have also watched church doors open to offer help and the love and willingness of so many to offer any help possible. This is a community of people who know how to reach out, maybe in part because of all the wonderful military personal we have here, Colorado Springs is a city that reaches out when the need arises as certainly it has in the last few days.
"I would ask for your prayers for continued safety for all those fighting these fires and the evacuees that this fire would be contained soon and no more homes or structures lost. We have been in a drought for several years and are in a great need for moisture. And most of all that the Lord would be seen as a Father who loves and cares and can turn this situation around for good and His glory. I thank you for your concern and prayers."
Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Chaplains Respond To Colorado And New Mexico As Wildfires Rage
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team is in Colorado and New Mexico as wildfires continue to torch large swaths of the nation's west. Chaplains are currently offering emotional and spiritual care in the Ruidoso/Capitan area of New Mexico, and in the Fort Collins area of Colorado. Chaplains deployed to both locations on June 14, shortly after the fires began.
According to a news release, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team said that news agencies are reporting that the "Little Bear Fire" in New Mexico is 90 percent contained. The "High Park Fire" north of Denver, however, was reported yesterday to be only 55 percent contained, and estimated at more than 87,000 acres. The fire has destroyed more than 250 homes. Due to these circumstances, chaplains have begun reaching out to homeowners in New Mexico, but have had limited opportunities to minister in Colorado as the fire rages and survivors remain evacuated from their homes.
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team deployed in coordination with Samaritan's Purse, the international Christian relief organization headed by Franklin Graham, who is also president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
"Many of those who have been evacuated and unable to return home have told us that the worst part is not knowing," said Jack Munday, director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. "They don't know if their homes are still standing, don't know if their pets are alive, and don't know if they've lost all they own in this world. Our chaplains are there to encourage the ministry of local churches, and offer a listening ear, practical assistance and support to those affected. We want to bring the compassion and hope of Jesus Christ into this horrible situation."
"We are a tinderbox, waiting to be ignited"
Stan Wilson, editor of Southwest Kansas Faith and Family, has written to us and said, "Dodge City, Kansas has been spared the destruction. But...we've had over a week of 100 plus and at least another week is predicted. This includes July 4 and the 'city fathers' have OK'd a public fireworks show within the city limits and they have legalized private fireworks for 3 or 4 days. We just had one major fire on the outskirts of Dodge which was set by a discarded cigarette. We are a tinderbox, waiting to be ignited."
National Day of Prayer (NDP) Task Force holds prayer time
Today, National Day of Prayer (NDP) Task Force, whose office is just 500 yards from the evacuation line, held an urgent time of prayer regarding the wildfires.
Before it began, John Bornschein, Vice Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, wrote: "Please join us for this critical and powerful time of prayer. In the midst of such devastation, the NDP Task Force is engaged in offering what support we can to our local community. We are helping to provide assistance through Care and Share and Mercy's Gate, two local organizations that are providing much needed food and supplies to those who have been evacuated and displaced during this time of crisis. We are also working with the team at Convoy of Hope as they prepare to join in on local relief. Please keep all of these efforts in your prayers!"
A "Wake up Call"
Mary Marr, president of the Christian Emergency Network (CEN) -- http://www.christianemergencynetwork.org -- today held a conference all to brief people from across the United States, about the present crisis situation.
She said in a message before the call took place, "This is a time for all of us to gather in prayer on behalf of those who are responding, Christians to offer a biblical worldview, and for multitudes to come into the fold.
"I will be presenting an update from DHS [Department of Homeland Security] and we hope that every state will be represented on this 'wake up' call to give an answer for the Hope of Christ within us."