Wildfires rage in Colorado
Update, July 9, 2012:
The Colorado Springs CVB reported the Waldo Canyon fire as 98 percent contained as of Sunday night. The wildfire is the most destructive in Colorado’s history, destroying more than 18,000 acres and almost 350 homes in Colorado Springs.
June 28, 2012:
A wildfire that has consumed more than 18,500 acres and forced the evacuation of 36,000 people from their homes in Colorado Springs, Colo., is still burning. The Waldo Canyon Fire was only 5 percent contained as of Thursday morning. The 29-sq.-mi. blaze has burned at least 300 homes in Colorado Springs to the ground, according to The Denver Post. The Flying W Ranch, a Western-style tourist attraction in Colorado Springs, has also burned down.
The Broadmoor, located in Colorado Springs, is open and still accommodating guests. Steve Bartolin, president of The Broadmoor, released a statement via the resort’s Facebook page. “This has been a challenging time for our city and our first concern is for the effects on our community and the safety of our citizens, our guests and our employees. We have been very fortunate at The Broadmoor that we have not been affected in any physical way on the property, or the immediate surrounding area. We are open and fully operating. We continue to take care of our guests.” The Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau has published a list of properties in the area that are open and have availability. The list is being updated throughout the day, but the CVB is still urging people to call the property before making any plans.
The Denver Post reported that anyone traveling to or from Colorado Springs during the next week on Frontier Airlines and United Airlines will have no change fees and the airlines will have flexible policies due to the wildfires.
