While deadly wildfires in California continue to rage, a fire in Colorado — sparked by a lightning strike earlier this month — has forced two-time major champion Greg Norman and his family to evacuate their 11,600-acre lodge near Aspen.
Although the fire is 82 percent contained, according to reports from July 30th, almost 13,000 acres near the towns of Basalt and Carbondale have been burned. On Sunday evening, as the flames closed in on the estate, Norman took a number of videos and posted them to his social media channels on Monday morning.
All this happened last night at & around my Lodge in the mountains of Colorado. This fire started from a lightning strike about 1/2 mile from the Lodge the day before. pic.twitter.com/OnH9YOxPKc
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
Typically what happens is 24hrs later when the weather is hot, windy with low humidity these ingredients trigger the smoldering lightning strike that lay idle to erupt into a fire. We were very very lucky for many reasons. pic.twitter.com/VdfFcpw12w
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
There was an incredible team of men and women on the ground and in the air. We had a spotter plane high above vectoring a heavy jet plus two smaller planes dropping fire retardant then there was the chinook heli team plus a A-Star heli with buckets dropping water. pic.twitter.com/rP1okxlFY0
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
The Chinook dropped a 1000gals at a time. On the ground there were teams for in State and out of State. Volunteers and professionals. My family and I cannot thank them enough for their bravery and efforts yesterday. pic.twitter.com/8jh5AEiLN7
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
But what I am thankful for and believe to be my lucky charm are the 7 lakes that surround my Lodge that enabled the helicopters to scoop up the water and drop so close to the fire. It was an impressive operation and execution.
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
As of 4.45am this morning the temp was 43 degrees tempering the fire for now as a heavy blanket of smoke is held down by the cold air. Yesterday was yesterday, today brings another day of high heat low humidity and wind.
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
A team of firefighters stayed on my ranch last night to prepare for today which I hope is nothing compared to yesterday as the fire heads to the south & east. And my thoughts and prayers go out to all others being affected by fires across the western part of the USA.
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
May you be as lucky as I have been to date. Stay strong and believe. I did.
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
A few hours after posting his initial report from Sunday evening, Norman followed up mid-day Monday that his property is “not out of the woods yet.”
Not out of the woods yet!! As expected. Winds are up so are the temps and BOOM!!! pic.twitter.com/bbux3MMBTV
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
Yes getting closer. Praying the wind does not shift 5 degrees. Going to be a long afternoon/night. pic.twitter.com/svVwcxihSl
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) July 30, 2018
The story will continue to be updated as new information emerges.
