Black Forest fire, June 18

Norma Hellispell gets a field ready to bring her horses home to her ranch on Burgess Rd. When Norma left on Tuesday, she was told by sheriffs deputies to get out quickly because the fire was coming over the hill. Monday was the first day she's been able to return to her home. The fire didn't get their home but many of their neighbors lost their homes. (Jerilee Bennett/ The Gazette)

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Jack Norris unloads feed at the Rockin' B Feed & Supply store that reopened its doors again Monday after being closed for nearly a week because of the Black Forest fire. Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Michael Ciaglo/The Gazette

MICHAEL CIAGLO/THE GAZETTE

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Rockin' B Feed & Supply owner Bob Norris, left, talks to a customer as he consoles her about the loss of her house. The feed store, which was less than 100 feet from the flames of the Black Forest fire, reopened Monday. "We aren't just a feed store anymore," Norris said. "We will help you with whatever you need." Michael Ciaglo/The Gazette

MICHAEL CIAGLO/THE GAZETTE

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Rockin' B Feed & Supply owner Bob Norris moves a bale of hay with a forklift Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at his business that reopened Monday after being evacuated from the Black Forest fire. The feed store has received and donated a total of 35,000 pounds of feed and hay to residents affected by the fire. Although the store is open, many people just come in to talk. "The worst part is talking to people who have lost everything and you give them a hug and they fall apart, and you have no choice but to just fall apart with them," Norris said. Michael Ciaglo/The Gazette

MICHAEL CIAGLO/THE GAZETTE

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Nathaniel Seay takes a look at a demolished vintage car that belongs to his grandfather, . Nathaniel's grandfather's home burned to the ground in the Black Forest Fire. Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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Renee Seay finds what is left of a birdfeeder that she gave her father, Dick Hoffman (left). Hoffman lost his home in the Black Forest Fire in Colorado . Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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When thunderstorms threatened the Black Forest area, a group of firefighters from Ramah, New Mexico, take a break from knocking down hot spots along Porcupine Ln. because of possible lightning strikes. Maynard Olonzo stands next to a small dead pine on the edge of the forest. Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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The machinery in the workshop of Paul Vanslyke on Porcupine Ln. lays in ruins. Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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Sentiments praising firemen adorn the front gate of a home on Hardin Rd. on Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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On Hardin Rd, where many homes were lost in the Black Forest Fire, a child leaves a sign of support for the firefighters on Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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A charred window well looks into what used to be the basement of Black Forest resident, Dick Hoffman .Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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When thunderstorms threatened the Black Forest area, a group of firefighters from Ramah, New Mexico, take a break from knocking down hot spots along Porcupine Ln. to keep an eye on possible lightning danger. Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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When thunderstorms threatened the Black Forest area, a group of firefighters from Ramah, New Mexico, take a break from knocking down hot spots along Porcupine Ln. Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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The workshop of Paul Vanslyke on Porcupine Ln. lays in ruins. Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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Black Forest homeowner Dick Hoffman takes his daughter, Renee Seay, on a tour of what was her childhood home. Hoffman lost his home in the Black Forest Fire in Colorado. Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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Renee Seay finds what is left of a birdfeeder that she gave her father, Dick Hoffman (left). Hoffman lost his home in the Black Forest Fire in Colorado . Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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Renee Seay looks into the basement of her father's house and what was her childhood home. Dick Hoffman lost his home in the Black Forest Fire in Colorado . Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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Renee Seay looks at what is left of a boat that belonged to her father, Dick Hoffman (right). Hoffman lost his home in the Black Forest Fire in Colorado . Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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When thunderstorms threatened the Black Forest area, a group of firefighters from Ramah, New Mexico, take a break from knocking down hot spots along Porcupine Ln. Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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On Hardin Rd., a wrot iron and stone gate withstood the fire, but not the home behind the gate. Homeowners that are north of Burgess Rd. and east of Vollmer Rd. in the Black Forest burn area were able to return to their homes today on Tuesday, June 18, 2013.(Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette)

JERILEE BENNETT

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Bonnie Kruse reacts Tuesday, June 18, 2013 as she views her family's property that was in the path of the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. Of the six homes that Kruse and her family have in Black Forest, all but one was destroyed. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette

MICHAEL CIAGLO, THE GAZETTE

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Diane Wimberly looks into her daughter's home through what used to be a window Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Wimberly's daughter is expected to birth to twins on Wednesday. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette

MICHAEL CIAGLO, THE GAZETTE

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Jeremy Beach wipes away a tear as he sees his home off Ravine Drive West for the first time since the Black forest fire started last Tuesday. Beach's home was in the section of the forest most devastated in the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette

MICHAEL CIAGLO, THE GAZETTE

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Jeremy and his wife Kelly Beach look into the remains of their home off Ravine Drive West Tuesday, June 18, 2013. The house was completely destroyed in one of the most devastated sections hit by the Black Forest fire. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette

MICHAEL CIAGLO, THE GAZETTE

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Brandy Burton carries her son Caiyleb Lewis, 2, through the rubble of her family's home after residents were allowed back into some of the most devastated sections of the Black Forest fire for a short period of time Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette

MICHAEL CIAGLO, THE GAZETTE

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Ritchie Lewis, Brandy Burton and their son Caiyleb Lewis, 2, help sift through the rubble of their family's home Tuesday, June 18, 2013 that was completely destroyed in the Black Forest fire. Residents were allowed back into the area for a short period of time to view the properties that sustained the most damage from the fire. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette

MICHAEL CIAGLO, THE GAZETTE

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Jeremy and his wife Kelly Beach look explore the remains of their home off Ravine Drive West Tuesday, June 18, 2013. The house was completely destroyed in one of the most devastated sections hit by the Black Forest fire. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette

MICHAEL CIAGLO, THE GAZETTE

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Jeremy and his wife Kelly Beach look into the remains of their home off Ravine Drive West Tuesday, June 18, 2013. The house was completely destroyed in one of the most devastated sections hit by the Black Forest fire. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette

MICHAEL CIAGLO, THE GAZETTE

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