The fire is dying down

The Monument Fire's current size: 29,746 acres. Containment: 64%, according to inciweb.org about 30 minutes ago.

Last night was the first night I could not see any fires burning off the peaks. Whatever is burning is further north and deeper into the range. The mountains are returning to normal and more people are moving back into their homes. Only our Mexican neighbor across the street, the one with the four mutant Chihuahuas, has not yet come back.

The house still smells like a camp fire. This morning at sunrise I trimmed the rest of the oleander. Kevin took three loads of debris to the transfer station. At 10am there was another flash mob off Highway 92 of around 35 people, young and old, holding thank-you signs and waving at passing fire fighter trucks, sheriff cars, etc. Some even honked back and a few of the bigger fire trucks even blew their sirens.

Everyone seems to be gotten back to normal. The dogs seem fine, even the cats. Only Sara seems to have trouble breathing at times, and hopefully it's just due to the triple-digit heat we have been having lately.

I spotted a green patch of aspen groves near Carr Peak this morning, so all is not lost. Let the healing begin!