Wildfires turn toward Colorado Springs

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

The Republicans blaming Obama for not doing more are really pissing me off.  Is there a Federal Agency that even helps with fire fighting?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I imagine FEMA conceivably might, but I don't know that this is within their usual remit.

Maybe with evacuations and now-homeless people, but I mean the firefighting itself.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

One division of FEMA is the U.S. Fire Administration.  I think they provide some firefighter training and offer various kinds of coordination assistance and so on, but I don't know how much actual firefighting they do.

Wikipedia just mentions training.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

This picture is really amazing.  The pyrocumulus here is so developed it's actually begun forming pyrocumulonimbus, or thunderstorm clouds formed by the smoke from the fire.  You often don't see the pyrocumulus get this developed.  From a meteorological standpoint, it's fascinating, and it serves as a grave reminder of the power of nature:

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

There's also been fires in Utah, including in Saratoga Springs, home of Mayor Mia Love (who is running for Congress, but did what any decent person would do and stayed to help her town, rather than going to a GOP big-wig fundraiser for her).

Yes, the Utah wildfires have been terrible too and have caused death, not just home destruction.  A salute to Mayor Love.

And I'm not understanding how these fires have caused deaths.  Why are people not evacuating?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

There's also been fires in Utah, including in Saratoga Springs, home of Mayor Mia Love (who is running for Congress, but did what any decent person would do and stayed to help her town, rather than going to a GOP big-wig fundraiser for her).

Yes, the Utah wildfires have been terrible too and have caused death, not just home destruction.  A salute to Mayor Love.

And I'm not understanding how these fires have caused deaths.  Why are people not evacuating?

The speed of the wind+lots of combustible dry wood, leaves, etc.+the heat of the air.

Maybe I'm just more in tune to this stuff than most people, but I'm of the mentality that 99.9% of wildfire deaths should be preventable.  Even a lot of hurricane deaths could be avoided if people just got out when they need to.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

The Republicans blaming Obama for not doing more are really pissing me off.  Is there a Federal Agency that even helps with fire fighting?

Pretty sure the Forest Service helps. Not sure about other agencies.

I always thought they were state run (but received money from the Feds)... apparently not.