| It's fire season
It's a broiling hot Monday and, adding to the misery, fires. There is the big one that's devoured 350,000 acres in California, which allegedly comes courtesy of a man who pushed a burning car down an embankment. The smoke could be see here and throughout much of the West.
Closer to home — much closer — the Currant Fire has burned 182 acres, at last count, near Cedaredge and led to pre-evac notices Sunday. Monday brought a roaring fire to the West End, 2 miles from Norwood in San Miguel County — with evacuation orders. Preliminary information indicates natural causes, not arson.
It all underscores the necessity to be firewise. No smoking outside. Don't let chains drag beneath your vehicle. Avoid open burning. Use a spark arrestor on your chain saw. Check with dispatch before conducting a controlled burn, and don't try one by yourself, or burn when there is wind. Do not set off fireworks, 'fer goodness sake! But also ... be ready for wildfire.
According to a recently completed survey and risk assessment in the area, although homeowners understood they were at risk, they tended to underrate their individual property risk. They had evacuation plans, but lacked specifics. The majority actually hadn't even assembled a "go bag" they could grab if they needed to get away from a fire. Check out West Region Wildfire Council's page for information on reducing risk on your property. And sign up for emergency alerts here!
Cats in the news
Forget politics. Think personal: If you have a soft spot for cats, consider helping Loma Cat House, a nonprofit that takes care of the cats other organizations often cannot. A state inspection revealed the Cat House needs new flooring and drywall work in order to continue operating. You can read about it here, courtesy of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.
Or, if you're wondering why someone in Montrose cares to highlight this, take my personal story. In October of last year, I met the tiniest little potato of a kitten at the Cat House. His mom was gone; the landowners where he was found brought him and two siblings to Marie at the Cat House. I was allowed to add the little guy, Cobalt, to my home, because she saved his life. She and her volunteer Marcie also saved a small black kitten with a throat polyp; a sandy colored tabby that had been turned out to starve; a kitten a young couple rescued from a pond (and later adopted through family), and a cat literally found in a pit.
Anyway, here is the GoFundMe link for those who are inclined. And here is a recent-ish picture of Cobalt for attention!
 — Katharhynn, from the newsroom, wishing you a great week.
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