Theatre Aspen works to benefit fire victims

Devastating wildfires have a way of bringing out the best in communities — whether it’s first responders putting their lives on the line, volunteers working long, hard hours to help people in distress or business people donating goods, services and time to help those who have been evacuated or victimized.

Theatre Aspen on Wednesday announced that 20 percent of single ticket sales from the group’s performances of “Our Town” from July 23 to July 26 will be donated to benefit those affected by the Lake Christine fire.

In addition, first responders will be treated to a free performance of “Our Town” from July 18 to Aug. 4 while seats are available.

“The message of this play resonates so strongly in the wake of this tragedy,” said Jed Bernstein, producing director of Theatre Aspen. “We must all come together to support each other in our town at this difficult time and celebrate those heroes among us who have risked their lives to ensure our safety.”

Donations will be distributed through the Aspen Community Foundation’s Community to Community Fund. First responders can call the box office at 970300-4474 to reserve tickets.

The Lake Christine fire, burning about a mile northwest of Basalt, has destroyed more than 6,000 acres. Three homes were destroyed. As of Saturday, about 780 evacuees from 279 homes were able to return to their threatened homes. The fire is 43 percent contained.

On Wednesday night, all mandatory evacuation orders for the fire were lifted, according to the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office.

The wildfire started July 3 and was caused by human activity.

Chateau fire

Volunteers and animal control officers, associated with local law enforcement, have been rescuing and rounding up pets and livestock that have been spooked and displaced by wildfires as owners quickly evacuate.

The Chateau fire, burning in Teller and Park counties, was 100 percent contained July 9. It has burned more than 1,400 acres.

Four volunteers with JeffCo H.E.A.T. (Horse Evacuation Assistance Team) helped with the Chateau fire, coordinating with sheriff’s offices, firefighters and animal control staffs to rescue animals, according to Denver7.

Larger animals such as horses, mules, llamas and even cattle present unique challenges.

“You leave your emotions and your adrenaline in the truck, and you very calmly and very methodically get the animals,” Scott Halladay, founder of H.E.A.T., told Denver7.

One of the hardest, and most important, parts of the volunteer work is standing down. For safety reasons, animal rescue volunteers don’t go into action unless they get a green light from fire or sheriff’s command.

“That’s probably one of the most frustrating things,” Halladay said. “We want to throw the world at it, and often times they don’t want that. When we do these things, we need to follow the command structures.”

Successful domestic animal rescues typically end with the animals being loaded into trailers and taken to animal housing areas or fairgrounds to be reunited with owners.

Spring Creek fire

The largest fire burning in the state has torched more than 107,900 acres in Costilla and Huerfano counties. Fire officials said Wednesday the fire was 83 percent contained.

Structure protection continued Wednesday in repopulated areas, and smoke remains visible within the fire perimeter. Active fire continues to burn south of the Red Wing area and west of County Road 572, fire officials said. Tree felling operations remain active on the western edge of the fire.