Wetmore evacuees forced to leave home in a matter of minutes
Bradley Davis
FLORENCE, Colo. (KRDO) – As the smoke started to settle around their house in the unincorporated community of Wetmore, Ron Fridz thought he had more time.
“Looking at the smoke in the sky, I was thinking we have plenty of time. Three hours, four hours,” Ron said.
Instead of hours, one small shift in the weather pattern afforded Ron and his family mere minutes to leave home.
“The wind changed all of the sudden, and the smoke started coming over us, and that’s when we got the mandatory evacuation,” Ron said.
“If you’re walking around outside, you can feel the smoke in your lungs, and the smoke is just everywhere, and you can see the flames,” Ron’s wife, Elizabeth Fridz, said.
A sheriff knocked on their door to break the evacuation news. Fortunately, they had already packed up for a Fourth of July camping trip that had already been canceled by a different wildfire raging in another part of the state.
As of Thursday afternoon, the flames had yet to engulf Wetmore, but they’re just a few short miles away, and anxiety is high.
“I’d just thank all the firefighters for all their hard work and hope they save the town of Wetmore,” Elizabeth said.
Thursday afternoon, all roads leading into Wetmore were closed to all except residents, who are being cautioned to turn around.