It’s Monday and this is where we start out the week with a smile. Even as we’re being buried in about 9″ (so far) of snow with single digits. Yup, it’s true, winter arrived at the Ranch. Both dogs took one look outside, sniffed then turned around saying, “Nah, we can hold it for a while.”
The snowstorm has somewhat stemmed the growth of the fire (despite it consuming now more than 192,000 acres) as well as much of the containment work across Northern Colorado’s massive wildfires. Some evacuation orders have been lifted in Larimer and Grand Counties as of Sunday night. This is good news. That said, because much of the region is in rough, steep country, heavy equipment used to fight fires will not be able to make additional progress in the icy conditions. Perhaps the 700+ firefighters can get some much needed rest. We continue to keep them and the residents of the fire areas in our thoughts and prayers.
Here’s to a ‘wagnificent’ week of smiles, mask wearing, social distancing and paw washing.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
So glad the snows helped slow the fire but crazy that it’s too icy to move equipment. Like you said, let us hope the firefighters can take a breather. And I laugh at Norman because Zeke loves the snow. Will lie in it for hours – well he did enjoy it before. Now that he’s an old fart, I don’t know what he will do.
It’s pretty rugged country with lots of steep mountains. Over 193,000 acres and still growing, albeit somewhat slower. Fire season is officially off the charts.
I know. My friend just moved back to her home up in Grand Lake. It’s been a helluva year.
Hope everything is fine for your friend. A lot of structures have been destroyed and a couple of people died.
Yes, thank goodness. I haven’t had the chance to ask her what her surroundings look like but so much destruction.
Wow, good find!
Hahaha about them not wanting to go out. Tippy, on the other hand loves the snow. Rain is her nemesis. It was raining pretty hard about a week ago and she absolutely refused to go out in the morning, even though she had been inside for 14 hours! Once it slacked up a little bit, I tried again and she was okay. Silly girl. I don’t know how they hold it so long. I have to get up 2 – 3 times a night. I guess I wouldn’t make a good dog. LOL I hope the snow give the firefighters some relief and helps to stem the fires too. Have a great week.
Elsa really enjoys bouncing like a jack rabbit in the snow but Norman isn’t quite as enthusiastic. It was barely over zero so I didn’t blame them one bit. No dog likes the rain, the sound of it hitting the ground gets amplified in their ears.
The snow has slowed the fire activity of the East Troublesome location; however it is not expected to be enough to put the fire out. They received between 6-12 inches of white stuff and fire fighting activity is halted in light fuel areas, and downed logs & heavier fuels under the canopy will continue to smolder. They are now 20% contained which is progress from the weekend. We have to keep our fingers crossed now. Temps will start warming up as of today through next week.
Glad the snow helped some. Fingers crossed that they can get it out soon.
Thanks. It’ll be a good while before it’s out. It’s only 20% contained and temps will be back in the 50’s for the next 8-10 days.
🙁
Snow and cold earlier than usual…….wonder what this means for “real” Winter! Stay cozy – I know you will…………….We have hoped that the snow would help with at least slowing down those horrid fires. STAY SAFE TOO!
Hugs, Pam and Teddy
It’s helped a little; firefighters are making some progress but the fire is only 20% contained as of this morning.
You’re right. It was in the 60s here.
Wow, that is a lot of snow for October, hope it helps the firefighters get their awful job done.
We hope we will not have too much winter here, the ice would be dangerous for pawppy after his surgery…and of course his recovery period is 12 week…right into the middle of the snow season. Yikes!!
It’s certainly not unusual for this time of year to get a nice dump of white stuff. The cold on the other hand is a whole different ball of wax.
Yikes, we’ll hope for good conditions to keep your pawppy upright!
OH the crazy weather! BRR on the snow, but it is good news for the fires and I do hope the firefighters get a REST! Can’t imagine the stress they have been under!
LOL at the comic!
The snow wasn’t nearly as bad as the single digits for a good part of the day. Talk about 🥶
The world is on fire and snowing at the same time. What a year.
It sure is. I’m sure there are deniers saying those two things must mean there is no climate change going on. 😕
I hope you have a great week, Monika.
Right back atcha, John.
And we got snow too, but under an inch:( We Huskies would love to see that 9 inches here.
That is a great cartoon. We need to have Mom print it and put it on the fridge to remind them of the horrors of being “coned”.
We are glad the snow served at least somewhat of a good purpose in slowing down the fires, but we continue to keep all in our thoughts and prayers.
Woos – Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Elsa enjoys it but Norman, not so much. I think he rather enjoys life on the sofa. LOL
We can’t believe your pups didn’t want to go out and play in the snow. The first big snow is always a huge celebration for us. We just love playing in the snow.
Elsa enjoys it but Norman has adapted to the life of a sofa dog. LOL
I can just see those dogs’ expressions! Ours think that rain is bad enough…snow would have them in trauma!
I think I heard an audible gulp by Norman. No doubt he was thinking “Eek…guess I’m not in Kansas anymore (where his last family lived).”
I grew up in the Canadian border in New York state and we occasionally got snow before Halloween…yuck!! But if it helps with the fires, bless that winter stuff.
Snow this time of year is not uncommon. The cold is, but not the snow. Sure hope this storm makes a difference with the wildfires.
It’s finally cool here, but that will change after this system passes and we’ll be back in the high 80s.
I love the funny. I laughed out loud.
Have a fabulous day and week. Scritches to the pups. ♥
So poetic, wasn’t it? 😂 Hope your firefighters can catch a break before the temps and wind returns.
we hope the firefighters can take a break now… we are glad that the white stuff rarely comes to us, but if it helps to conquer the fires, it came at time…
We hope so too. Not keen on the cold but do not mind the white stuff. The first couple of storms are always the prettiest.
Love the cartoon!
Stay safe. Stay warm. Drink hot chocolate.
Seems particularly appropriate these days. Stay warm yourself. Don’t lose Zoe in the snow!
Yikes! That’s all I have…yikes! BTW love the dog cone cartoon! It needs to be on billboards.
It really does!
I keep thinking of those fires – and of those in California. Let’s hope for more snow/rain.
Have a wonderful week,
Pit
If only but winter is expected to be La Niña which means cold temps and drier conditions. Where’s a good El Niño when you need it?
stemmed the “growth” not put it out… will anything put it out? are we living in a fire hell?
Not even a foot of snow will completely douse it according to the officials at the scene. The East Troublesome fire may even overtake the Cameron Peak fire. 😫
As Michael said, thank God for snow to dampen those fires, but stay off the ice. Our temps have dipped a little bit here in Greenville, but certainly not enough to bring us any white stuff.
Give the Ninja and Norman kisses and belly rubs for me. Ducky sends you puppy kisses.
It’s too cold here to do much walking today so kisses are a nice substitute. Send hugs and ear scritches to you and Ducky. Stay warm.
Thank God for the snow relative to the fires. Stay safe and off the ice. 😉
We plan to take your advice for today. 😉
Thanks for the fire update. Wow … 9 inches of snow in late October … 70 degrees by end of the week? 😉
Close, 60’s. If you don’t like the weather in Colorado, just wait 10 minutes, it’s bound to change! Have a great week, Frank. 9″ and counting-it’s still snowing. 😇
Not surprised! 🙂
☺️