By Shannon Lukens.
The Crosho Fire is burning in South Routt County, near the communities of Phippsburg and Yampa, with Oak Creek to the north.
Many who have been evacuated are staying at the Routt County Fairgrounds in Hayden for the Routt County Fair, like they would normally do at the fair when kids are showing their animals. But this year, there is an extra edge at the competition. When Routt County Alerts evacuation notices are sent, those at the fair all get them at the same time.
Kathryn Schlatter’s kids showed their cattle at the Beef Show Thursday.
“So, I think one of the most impactful things about this is once we saw the flames, the first thing that we went to was our livestock. And the livestock were up in the forest and the in holdings and around. And we started to push our cattle down to make sure they were safe and they had water and were away from the most impacted areas or could be impacted areas. And then after that, when the next day the fire grew, our first priority was getting the animals moved and livestock safe.
And then, next to the 4H animals and getting them to fair and then our personal belongings. But it’s so much more than just a home. It’s our businesses, our multi-generational legacy that’s been built and our productive crops and it’s also our home. So, we are hopeful that in this situation, the resources that are there and will continue to protect, um, all of our amazing families in South Routt.”
Taylor Clyncke is the Routt County Fair Royalty attendant. She and her sister are also showing their animals and their family has been evacuated from their home.
“The fire is only, like, a mile away from my house, so it’s a little scary. But we have a lot of friends helping us with our animals, as well as people offering to take us in while, while the fire is being taken care of. We do haveclothes and stuff, so we don’t have to really go back, and we have our camper and our dogs, and so we are good. So after fair, we’re probably going to have to go to a different house and stay with them for a while until it’s safe to go home.
We’re definitely all stressed, especially with having to deal with the stress of dealing with fair, as well as the possibility of our land being burnt. And I’m honestly scared because one of my biggest fears, personally, is my house getting burnt down by a wildfire. So that’s pretty scary. The animals are all safe. We have found people to take them in until we are good to have them home or find somewhere else to put them. (I have) sheep, goats, cows, horses, and poultry and rabbits.”
Next week, school starts in the South Routt School District. Staff and counselors know the students and teachers are under extra pressure. SoRoCo High School Principal Dave Grabowski brought some of the school counselors to the fair on Thursday, just to provide support, should anyone need it.
“We’re out here supporting the kids because 4H and ag is a big part of our community. So we came out to check the kids. We have our counselors and Dean of Students out here, and we just want to see how everyone’s doing since we have the fire down outside of Oak Creek and towards Yampa. So we’re just here to show them support and let them know that we’re here if they need anything.”