The Gazette and other Colorado newspapers did an excellent job of covering the Black Forest fire, and many of us read Black Forest News Publisher Judy von Ahlefeldtís personal account of her terrible losses to the fire in the Black Forest News, written from her hotel room. Judy lost her home and one of her beloved horses as well.Although much has been discussed about the fire, we wanted to acknowledge the tragedy from a Falcon perspective. Most Falcon residents were deeply affected by the fire, as no one knew where the winds would blow. Robin Widmar, NFH writer who lives in Elbert, had to completely evacuate. My household was on pre-evacuation notice, along with Angie Morlanís family and Christel Blaylock and her husband (and cat). Although others in Falcon were not under any notices the smoke and mere threat of the fire led a few to hotels or to the homes of friends and family.And just about all of us know someone who has lost a home in the fire. The Black Forest is part of our NFH readership, and business owners in the area advertise with us on a regular basis. As one person said after the fire was contained, ìWe are community.îSo, now the Black Forest fire is the largest in Colorado history. Last year, the Waldo Canyon fire topped the list and a few years ago it was the Hayman fire. Any fire burning in Colorado is daunting, and itís the reason we need to be continuously on top of fire mitigation practices and any initial spark of fire.Thanks to our firefighters, military and law enforcement officers ñ thereís nothing more to say except THANKS! We know itís your job, but you all do it with loyalty and commitment to community. So many people who lost their homes stuck around to help others evacuate their animals and belongings. Nothing says community like those people.Regardless of tragedies, life moves on. Whether itís an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, fire or terrorism; people all over the country go about their daily business ñ they have to.We donít stop living in this country ñ we move forward but we never forget the people who are left behind to pick up the pieces or those who lost their lives.In this issue, we salute ìcommunity.îAll the best to our Black Forest neighbors!See you in August,– Michelle
