Laura

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troutbend
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Laura
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Estes Park, CO
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08/01
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Married
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Hotel - Hospitality

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This Oughta Be Good

Life & Events > The Fox Still Around
 

The Fox Still Around

I've told you that I don't see the fox here every day. Didn't see him yesterday, but he spent about an hour here this afternoon.







I think he's fattened up some this summer and he lost his winter coat. For awhile it looked like he was growing it back, but now that has disappeared, too.



It turns out the big fire west of Boulder, Colorado the Four Mile Fire was caused by a 71-year old man who was legally burning some brush and tree limbs. He has been a volunteer fire fighter in that area for the past 20 years. He thought he put it out but three days later the wind whipped up and blew the coals around, starting the fire. 169 homes were destroyed, including his, $8.3 million in damage, 900 fire fighters still working on it at a cost of $20 million.

The fire that's threatening my home here was also started by someone burning off brush to clean up their homesite. It's so dry these days, you'd think they'd avoid that kind of activity. I have slash piles from trimming trees but I don't burn them until the dead of winter when there is snow on the ground and no wind.

What I don't understand is that our local counties require burn permits. You are supposed to get one ahead of time for about $20 and the penalty for not getting one is $10,000. Because you're probably going to get caught only if it gets out of control and burns down a neighborhood. They understand that you have to wait for the right day, so the permits are good for a long period of time. They require that you notify the local fire department when you are going to have your burn. Presumably they don't come stand by, but they probably give advice about whether it's a good idea for that day, and they probably keep it in mind. I'm betting they'll pay more attention in the future. So, did these guys have permits?


posted on Sept 13, 2010 4:42 PM ()

Comments:

Wonderful photo of the fox eating out of the bowl! Is it food or water you left him?
comment by drmaus on Sept 15, 2010 9:03 PM ()
He's drinking water. He gets bread, dog biscuits, and sometimes cottage cheese or an egg or left over meat from me when he comes around. Most of the dog biscuits and some of the bread he buries for later, but I don't know if that means winter or during the night when he wants a snack. Stuff is buried all over the yard and sometimes the ground squirrels dig it up and eat it. Sometimes the fox catches and eats the ground squirrels, so sometimes we wonder if he's burying that food as bait.
reply by kitchentales on Sept 15, 2010 9:31 PM ()
I love that fox. So cute! Annoying about the fires... I mean the people didn't mean to do it but still... common sense?
comment by kristilyn3 on Sept 14, 2010 11:40 AM ()
Everyone who didn't start a forest fire this season is wondering how these guys could be so stupid.
reply by troutbend on Sept 14, 2010 12:12 PM ()
The fox almost looks over balanced by his plume. He is adorable. I just can't understand why people don't shovel dirt on the coals and put those fires out.
comment by elderjane on Sept 14, 2010 11:16 AM ()
He has the cutest way of cocking his head as if he's listening to me when I'm telling him where the chipmunks are and pointing in that direction.
reply by troutbend on Sept 14, 2010 12:10 PM ()
Millions of dollars in property and forests destroyed just to clear dead brush? So sad!
comment by dragonflyby on Sept 14, 2010 5:52 AM ()
They think they are getting rid of fire danger by keeping their property clear of combustible trash, but then it backfired. The news people asked one of the govt officials why they are so hesitant to declare a fire ban, and they said because all the neighboring counties have to be consistent with each other so it is a slower process than we'd think. Hard for us to understand what the problem is there since it's consistently dry everywhere. It strikes me funny that I'm talking to you about lack of water disasters, and your efforts with the coast guard all have to do with too much water disasters.

I feel so privileged to have had this chance to see the fox this summer, and really get a look at him. His tail gets prettier every day.
reply by kitchentales on Sept 14, 2010 7:51 AM ()
By the way: the fox is a beauty!
reply by dragonflyby on Sept 14, 2010 5:53 AM ()
It seems so idiotic that an experienced fire fighter could have been responsible. The fox is cute as a button. I like your little stone dachsund (sp.?) too.
comment by tealstar on Sept 13, 2010 8:07 PM ()
That fire fighter must be mortified to death. I was trying to get the fox to see a chipmunk over there by the dog, so eventually he went and sat there but the chipmunk was hiding.
reply by kitchentales on Sept 14, 2010 7:55 AM ()

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