AR
By Joel Beall
A Colorado wildfire that has raged for a month is nearing its end, with 82 percent of its area contained as of July 30. However, the wildfire has burned close to 13,000 acres near the towns of Basalt and Carbondale, and firefighters continue to battle its flames.
On Monday, Greg Norman, who owns an 11,600-acre ranch near Aspen, captured video of the wildfire, as well as the efforts of those trying to tame it.
All this happened last night at & around my Lodge in the mountains of Colorado. This fire started from a lightning strike about 1/2 mile from the Lodge the day before. pic.twitter.com/OnH9YOxPKc
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
Typically what happens is 24hrs later when the weather is hot, windy with low humidity these ingredients trigger the smoldering lightning strike that lay idle to erupt into a fire. We were very very lucky for many reasons. pic.twitter.com/VdfFcpw12w
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
There was an incredible team of men and women on the ground and in the air. We had a spotter plane high above vectoring a heavy jet plus two smaller planes dropping fire retardant then there was the chinook heli team plus a A-Star heli with buckets dropping water. pic.twitter.com/rP1okxlFY0
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
The Chinook dropped a 1000gals at a time. On the ground there were teams for in State and out of State. Volunteers and professionals. My family and I cannot thank them enough for their bravery and efforts yesterday. pic.twitter.com/8jh5AEiLN7
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
But what I am thankful for and believe to be my lucky charm are the 7 lakes that surround my Lodge that enabled the helicopters to scoop up the water and drop so close to the fire. It was an impressive operation and execution.
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
As of 4.45am this morning the temp was 43 degrees tempering the fire for now as a heavy blanket of smoke is held down by the cold air. Yesterday was yesterday, today brings another day of high heat low humidity and wind.
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
A team of firefighters stayed on my ranch last night to prepare for today which I hope is nothing compared to yesterday as the fire heads to the south & east. And my thoughts and prayers go out to all others being affected by fires across the western part of the USA.
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
The fires were started in early July by a lightning strike. Norman is not the only golfer affected, as former Open champ and NBC Sports analyst Justin Leonard also owns property in the area.
To donate to the Lake Christine fires, visit salvationarmyvail.org.
