There was a lightning strike near Mt. Falcon this week – see DP story here – and it started a small wildfire in steep terrain behind Red Rocks Amphitheater just west of Denver. Jeffco firefighters called in air support, and a water drop seemed to do the trick. But then the wind picked up and increasing smoke told a different tale. So the next day, hot shots hiked in and dug a trench around the now-2-acre fire, and that was that. Heavy rains yesterday made sure there was going to be no tragic third act to this play. All’s well that ends well – right?
This time of year in this part of the country, lightning strikes and wild fires go together like Mom and apple pie. Given that Ben Franklin invented the lightning rod way back in 1752, John B. Walker should have known better when he built his dream house atop Mt. Falcon early in the 20th century. Alas, Walker’s edifice lasted only 9 years before it was reduced to rubble by lightning and fire. You can read the whole story here, and see below for my photo from today’s Mt. Falcon hike for what remains over a century later.
Plenty of lightning forecast for today. If only John B. Walker had paid closer attention to his weather app, things might have turned out different.
Those of you who know the area know that Parmalee Gulch Road goes past a delightful ever-changing sign at the Indian Hills Community Center. Many more iterations of this sign can be found in a past post – here.
