Third anniversary of two local major wildfires observed Saturday

Many people never expected to see another devastating wildfire so soon after the 2012 Waldo Canyon fire but they saw two the following year.

Saturday marked three years since the Black Forest fire in El Paso County and the Royal Gorge Park fire in Fremont County.

The Black Forest fire took nine days to be contained, killed two people and destroyed more than 500 homes, surpassing Waldo Canyon as the most destructive fire in Colorado history.

The Royal Gorge Park fire forced the evacuation of 1,200 guests and employees. It burned for four days on 3,200 acres and destroyed 48 buildings in the park.

Black Forest scheduled few events to commemorate the anniversary. A remembrance ceremony was held at the community center Saturday morning.

Jeff Schlicker, a resident and owner of the Firehouse General Store, organized a “rebirth bash” with food and music to provide a more pleasant way to observe the occasion.

“Most folks up here would like to put the fire behind us and move on,” he said. “I had planned to have a celebration when the bridge project on Black Forest Road was done, but it’s taking longer than I thought. So I figured why not have it on the fire anniversary?”

Schlicker said his business has suffered since the fire.

“Only around half the homes that burned have been rebuilt — including mine,” he said. “That’s a lot of people who aren’t coming here to eat or shop.”

Meanwhile, Ray Rozak continued to work around his new home that was rebuilt after the fire.

“I can’t move in yet because I need an occupancy permit and finish some work,” he said. “It’s been a tough road. I got over the emotional stress, anger, hurt, pain and all that, before. Another day and I’m just trying to keep on moving, going forward.”

The Royal Gorge Park did not plan any events relating to the fire anniversary.