Monday, March 31, 2014
SE Colorado Under Red Flag Warning
News Link
High winds and continued severe drought conditions in SE Colorado are ripe conditions for a wildfire. This time of year lightning is not usually a factor, so it would have to be a man-made ignition source like sparks from a skidding vehicle or live cigarette butts out the window.
High winds and continued severe drought conditions in SE Colorado are ripe conditions for a wildfire. This time of year lightning is not usually a factor, so it would have to be a man-made ignition source like sparks from a skidding vehicle or live cigarette butts out the window.
4.8 Earthquake in Yellowstone Biggest in 34 Years
News Link
Scientists say there is no danger for a repeat of a supervolcanic eruption.
Scientists say there is no danger for a repeat of a supervolcanic eruption.
Friday, March 28, 2014
100 Acre Grass Wildfire near Pike's Peak
News Link
Despite last September's soaking, it's been a dry winter on the plains.
Despite last September's soaking, it's been a dry winter on the plains.
Small 2.7 Earthquake in San Luis Valley
News Link
This an old volcanic rift zone dotted with volcano cones from Alamosa south, continuing into Mew Mexico. I'm always interested to see if volcanic activity will start again in this area.
This an old volcanic rift zone dotted with volcano cones from Alamosa south, continuing into Mew Mexico. I'm always interested to see if volcanic activity will start again in this area.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Flash Flood Risk High in Boulder and Larimer County for This Spring
News Link
A combination of the 3rd largest snow pack in 35 years with saturated ground conditions from last September's floods. Historically, Front Range catastrophic floods tend to come in bunches followed by periods of a decade or more of no flooding. Last year's flood was the first catastrophic flood in northern Colorado since 1997. Clear Creek and Bear Creek are overdue for a big one.
A combination of the 3rd largest snow pack in 35 years with saturated ground conditions from last September's floods. Historically, Front Range catastrophic floods tend to come in bunches followed by periods of a decade or more of no flooding. Last year's flood was the first catastrophic flood in northern Colorado since 1997. Clear Creek and Bear Creek are overdue for a big one.
Cougar Lounging on Decks in Aspen
News Link
This happens in the spring when cubs are about 18 months and are let go by Mom to go fend for themselves but they haven't quite figured out what to do yet.
This happens in the spring when cubs are about 18 months and are let go by Mom to go fend for themselves but they haven't quite figured out what to do yet.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Snohomish Landslide in Washington Slid Many Times in Past 60 Years
News Link
An article from the Seattle Times documents how the area that slid 2 days ago, with 14 dead and 176 missing, was called "Slide Hill" by locals in the 1960's. The head of Snohomish County's Department of Emergency Management claimed “It was considered very safe,” Pennington said. “This was a completely unforeseen slide. This came out of nowhere.” So, even if you do know what has happened in the past, like the last time this landslide moved down the hill in 2006, you can choose to put your hands over your eyes and claim you never saw it coming.
An article from the Seattle Times documents how the area that slid 2 days ago, with 14 dead and 176 missing, was called "Slide Hill" by locals in the 1960's. The head of Snohomish County's Department of Emergency Management claimed “It was considered very safe,” Pennington said. “This was a completely unforeseen slide. This came out of nowhere.” So, even if you do know what has happened in the past, like the last time this landslide moved down the hill in 2006, you can choose to put your hands over your eyes and claim you never saw it coming.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Parks and Wildlife Has Received 33 Reports of Mountain Lion Sightings in Colorado Springs Area
News Link
A surprisingly high number. 5 were reports of attacks on dogs.
A surprisingly high number. 5 were reports of attacks on dogs.
Friday, March 21, 2014
German Snowboarder Dies after Hitting Tree at Snowmass
News Link
The article also mentions that a 56-year-old man died at Aspen after hitting a tree while snowboarding January 11.
The article also mentions that a 56-year-old man died at Aspen after hitting a tree while snowboarding January 11.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
CDOT Warns That It Is Rockslide Season
News Link
Freeze-thaw action this time of year loosens rock faces. Clear Creek Canyon, the I-70 corridor from Idaho Springs to Georgetown Hill and Glenwood Canyon are all potential rockfall areas.
Freeze-thaw action this time of year loosens rock faces. Clear Creek Canyon, the I-70 corridor from Idaho Springs to Georgetown Hill and Glenwood Canyon are all potential rockfall areas.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Wildfires Possible in March
Monday, March 17, 2014
Moose and Calf Wandering around Silverthorne
News Link
Dogs running off-leash and moose protecting their calves were a recipe for attacks and serious injuries for several people in Colorado last year.
Dogs running off-leash and moose protecting their calves were a recipe for attacks and serious injuries for several people in Colorado last year.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
A Couple of Recent Stories About People that Just Don't Get It about Natural Hazards
Here's a story in the Coloradoan about some brain-dead parents that let their kids walk up to a bull elk in Rocky Mountain National Park. The rack on the elk is bigger than the kids.
News Link
Then there is the case of Roy Ortiz, rescued from his submerged SUV in the floods last September.
News Link
He is suing the rescuers for $500,000. Putting himself into the top tier of irresponsible, unaccountable, "it wasn't me", in a category by himself as he explains: The rescuers took too long to get to him, causing psychological damage and problems with one shoulder. Further raising his credibility, Ortiz is also going after Boulder County, saying they are accountable for allowing him to drive across the flooded road. My own opinion is that he should go after the Motor Vehicle Division for allowing him to have a driver's license. He is also suing the insurance companies of the drivers of 2 cars that were in the flood waters with him for medical expenses he incurred. Apparently, he didn't have car insurance or health insurance to cover his injuries and hospital costs. The lawyer that convinced him to move forward with these suits should be disbarred.
Update: 3/14
News Link
Turns out, Roy Ortiz is also an illegal immigrant. Maybe he should sue the US government that caused his injuries by allowing him to be here illegally. Or he could sue his lawyer for fraud for representing that he is a qualified attorney. The attorney made this unbelievable statement:
"If divers went into the water in an attempt to locate Roy and they didn't see him there, as dangerous a job that it is - and we are thankful for first responders - that was a mistake. And the legal term for that mistake is negligence."
This attorney's twisted logic along with a lack of understanding of what negligence is, really should at a minimum make him liable for the costs that will be incurred by the government and the individual responders to defend against this suit. Let's see, guys are risking their lives trying to swim in turbid water carrying tree limbs and other debris at 5 feet per second attempting to check out three different vehicles, and they are negligent because they didn't see him?! First responders- you should sue the attorney for wrongful defamation of character.
News Link
Then there is the case of Roy Ortiz, rescued from his submerged SUV in the floods last September.
News Link
He is suing the rescuers for $500,000. Putting himself into the top tier of irresponsible, unaccountable, "it wasn't me", in a category by himself as he explains: The rescuers took too long to get to him, causing psychological damage and problems with one shoulder. Further raising his credibility, Ortiz is also going after Boulder County, saying they are accountable for allowing him to drive across the flooded road. My own opinion is that he should go after the Motor Vehicle Division for allowing him to have a driver's license. He is also suing the insurance companies of the drivers of 2 cars that were in the flood waters with him for medical expenses he incurred. Apparently, he didn't have car insurance or health insurance to cover his injuries and hospital costs. The lawyer that convinced him to move forward with these suits should be disbarred.
Update: 3/14
News Link
Turns out, Roy Ortiz is also an illegal immigrant. Maybe he should sue the US government that caused his injuries by allowing him to be here illegally. Or he could sue his lawyer for fraud for representing that he is a qualified attorney. The attorney made this unbelievable statement:
"If divers went into the water in an attempt to locate Roy and they didn't see him there, as dangerous a job that it is - and we are thankful for first responders - that was a mistake. And the legal term for that mistake is negligence."
This attorney's twisted logic along with a lack of understanding of what negligence is, really should at a minimum make him liable for the costs that will be incurred by the government and the individual responders to defend against this suit. Let's see, guys are risking their lives trying to swim in turbid water carrying tree limbs and other debris at 5 feet per second attempting to check out three different vehicles, and they are negligent because they didn't see him?! First responders- you should sue the attorney for wrongful defamation of character.
Horses Can be Vaccinated Against Rabies
Most horses are kept in areas where rabid skunks, foxes or raccoon can get into. There were 47 cases of equine rabies in 2012.
News Link
News Link
Monday, March 10, 2014
Africanized Bees Sting California Woman More Than 1,000 Times
A surprising series of events.
News Link
We don't have Africanized bees in Colorado yet, but if the climate continues to warm they could make it to southeastern Colorado someday.
News Link
We don't have Africanized bees in Colorado yet, but if the climate continues to warm they could make it to southeastern Colorado someday.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Part of Lionshead Rock near Minturn Breaks Off and Falls on Railroad Tracks
News Link
Rockfall is a constant ongoing process.
Rockfall is a constant ongoing process.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
25th Anniversary of Solar Flare That Took Out Quebec's Power Grid
News Link
An X15 solar flare, the largest observed.
An X15 solar flare, the largest observed.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Rabid Skunk Shot and Killed in Weld County
News Link
According to officials, this is the fourth rabies case in Colorado so far this year. In 2013, the state had 191 animal rabies cases. Weld County had 26 rabies cases in 2013.
According to officials, this is the fourth rabies case in Colorado so far this year. In 2013, the state had 191 animal rabies cases. Weld County had 26 rabies cases in 2013.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Denver Post Article Provides Nice Graphical Summary of Avalanche Incidents in Colorado
News Link
It covers the period 1997 to present. It shows that the number of incidents have increased by about 50% in the past 15 years, probably because of increased numbers of backcountry skiers and snowmobilers. In my book, incidents are summarized from 1950-2010, with about half occurring since 1997.
It covers the period 1997 to present. It shows that the number of incidents have increased by about 50% in the past 15 years, probably because of increased numbers of backcountry skiers and snowmobilers. In my book, incidents are summarized from 1950-2010, with about half occurring since 1997.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
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