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By now, many of you have heard about the voracious wildfire burning west of Fort Collins, Colorado. The High Park fire is (at the time of this posting) blazing uncontrollably. It began Saturday morning, about 6 am. Today, 2 1/2 days later, the fire is about 37,000 acres and zero percent contained. Many structures have been lost - one report indicated 18 while another had a number of 100. It is impossible to really know right now.

© 2009 Keith Bond. View From Rist Canyon, 8 x 10 oil.

This painting was done right in the heart of the burning area. Historical Stove Prairie School is less than a mile down the hill from this spot. Several years ago, Richard Schmid lived somewhere in this area. Stove Praire Press, which he founded, is named after the area. He also founded the Richard Schmid Art Auction as a fundraiser for the volunteer fire department in the area.

© 2010 Keith Bond. Mountain Meadows, 9 x 12 oil.

This painting was done a few miles north of the current area affected by the fire, but it is indicative of much of the terrrain and vegitation. Meadows with dry grass, dry trees - many dead from a current pine beetle infestation, mixed area of private and public land. Many homes are in the area and the fire is quickly spreading closer and closer to more heavily populated areas.

Conditions are currently such, that this fire could easily become much more catastrophic.

My heart and prayers go out to those whose homes are in the area. I personally know a handful of people who have had to evacuate. And I know a few others who are on evacuation standby.