FORT COLLINS — Since June 11, Colorado National Guard Spec. Eric Hatch and Cadet Cashius Flink have rotated in seven-hour shifts every day at the High Park fire.
The two man the roadblocks set up around the fire zone — checking the IDs of evacuated residents returning to their homes.
As residents head home and firefighters near the end of their two weeks on the job, morale remains high, and appreciation for personnel working on the fire appears to bubble out of not only many outdoor business and man-made signs, but also the evacuees.
“The best part is the drive back,” said Flink, 23.
Crowds of Larimer County residents have lined Overland Trail, waving signs of thanks as the firefighter shifts change.
This is also the place many came to watch the fire when it broke out June 9.
Now the fire is estimated at 87,250 acres with 55 percent containment. It has destroyed at least 257 homes.
About 1,900 people were working on the fire Tuesday. The number of firefighters is being ratcheted down, said incident commander Beth Lund.
“We will demobilize a bit,” she said. “We are feeling cautiously optimistic.”
