I meant to get this out yesterday, but no connection where I was.  What you see here is the lingering result of the largest (by acreage) forest fire in Colorado history, the Hayman Fire, in Pike National Forest.  Set by humans in 2002, this is what the area looks like today.  I can’t tell you how horrible it feels to look at this, knowing how slowly those old Ponderosa pines will regrow – not that they’re not trying.

In the words of several roadside signs out here, “If you’re going to light it, be ready to fight it.”