The community of Black Forest commemorated the fire of 2013 with fellowship, music and food ó laughter and camaraderie.The June 11 commemoration picnic was held at Black Forest Regional Park the exact day the fire started five years ago. The fire took two lives, destroyed 489 homes and burned more than 14,280 acres.Jon Karroll from KRDO News Channel 13 served as the master of ceremonies. Rev. Andrzej Szczesnowicz from Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church gave the invocation. Boy Scout Troop 70 retired the colors. Speakers included Darryl Glenn, county commissioner; Terry Stokka from Black Forest Together; Chief Bryan Jack from the Black Forest Fire Department and Leif Garrison from the Black Forest Community Club. The U.S. Air Force pop music band, Blue Steel, played during the festivities and senior airman Danielle Diaz sang the anthem for the opening ceremony. The Black Forest Fire Department Company C brought some of their vehicles to the commemoration. Several booths were set up, including the Community Emergency Response Team, which provides backup as needed and is often the first responders on the scene. CERT also provides free classes on general preparedness and how to be helpful to first responders ó and more. The Colorado Springs Fire Department, the El Paso County Sheriffís Office, The El Paso-Teller County 911 Mobile Classroom, the El Paso Wildland Crew and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak region were present to share information with the crowd. There were also several food trucks available; among them, Bison brothers, Bite Me and Rizutoís ice cream ó the latter offered a special flavor for the picnic called Black Forest, a combination of chocolate and cherry ice cream with walnuts.A good turnout of people commemorated the five-year anniversary of the fire.
