Each day, the looming shroud of smoke above Northern Colorado grows larger. We see it in the morning before school, during our lunch breaks, and when we get home after a long day. We see it all the time, and we have seen it get bigger over the past few weeks.

The red sun, the apocalyptic feel, the inability to breathe clean, fresh air. This can be no more.

On August 13, 2020, a fire sparked on Cameron Peak. In the past two months, it has escalated into what we now know as Colorado’s largest wildfire ever.

Consuming 158,300 acres and still active, this fire has surpassed the first major wildfire we saw in July through September 2020: the Pine Gulch Fire (139,007 acres). 

As of today, residents in Estes Park, a popular tourist town, have been ordered to evacuate by Incident Commander, Dan Dallas. The fires can be seen from the bridge crossing over Lake Estes.

We must take immediate action. 

Without even getting up from your couch, here are a few things you can do to help:

Donate to:

• American Red Cross: You can donate to your local Red Cross programs and services. This can be done online, over the phone, or through the mail.
• Volunteers of America: Visit donate.voa.org to help the organization that has been helping with pre-evacuation calls.
• GoFundMe: Donate to a GoFundMe page.

Donate your time:

• Larimer Humane Society: Without coming close to the fires, you can volunteer at Larimer Humane Society to help temporarily house animals and pets that have been affected by the current situation.

Livelihoods are at stake, and more people are affected every day. While it would be astronomical for the fire to reach the town of Mead, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do everything we can to help our neighbors up to the north and northwest.