More than just evacuees, those forced to flee Colorado wildfires are new climate refugees

By Molly Cruse
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4min 47sec
Stone Canyon Fire Survivor Suzanna Simmons and her dogs
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Suzanna Simmons holds her Irish Wolfhound Keeley in the burn scar outside her home in Stone Canyon above Lyons, Aug. 8, 2024, a week after fire crews saved her home. She was able to evacuate all four of her dogs, four goats, one alpaca, five hens and a rooster. She spreads fresh hay around her charred property in the hopes that it will encourage wildlife to return to her property.

The burn scar in Stone Canyon
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
A burn scar now stands between - and all around - homes up and down Stone Canyon in the foothills above Lyons after wildfire scorched the area. This is the once-pretty view from Suzanne Simmons’ kitchen window. Another next door neighbor’s house was destroyed by the fire.
Suzanne Simmons’ home now stands in the midst of a huge burn scar
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Once located in a verdant foothills valley, Suzanne Simmons’ home now stands in the midst of a huge burn scar left by the Stone Canyon wildfire, Thursday, August 8, 2024.

Suzanne Simmons on the burn scar near her home in Stone Canyon
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Suzanne Simmons in the rain on the burn scar where her home, saved by wildfire crews, still stands a week after the Stone Creek fire.
Burned apples on a tree in Suzanne Simmons' orchard
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Burned apples, wet from rain, hang from a tree in what remains of the orchard outside the home of Suzanne Simmons in Stone Canyon above Lyons, a week after fire crews saved her house from a wildfire.

A black white Kingbird perches in the safety of a cage at the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
A black white Kingbird perches in the safety of a cage at the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lyons, which saw a huge spike rescued animals during the Stone Canyon fire.
The feeding and care chart for a black white Kingbird at the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
The feeding and care chart for a black white Kingbird at the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lyons, which saw a huge spike rescued animals during the Stone Canyon fire.

Amanda Manoa stands on “The Beach” at the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lyons
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Animal care supervisor Amanda Manoa stands on “The Beach” at the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lyons. It’s the nickname for a special enclosure with sand and water pools for rescued ducks and geese. the nickname staffers gave this enclosure for ducks and geese.
Animal nets and a stethescope the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lyons
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Animal nets and a stethescope the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lyons, which saw a huge spike rescued animals during the Stone Canyon fire.

Heat-blistered paint on Suzanne Simmons’ home
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
The Stone Canyon wildfire swept down on Suzanne Simmons’ home at great speed. Although firefighters were able to save her house, the heat-blistered paint on its side shows just how close the flames came to taking everything she owns.
Suzanne Simmons fled her home with this family heirloom teapot
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
“What would I take with me in an emergency,” is a question many people ask themselves, perhaps never imaging that it’s a choice they would actually have to make. As the Stone Canyon fire sped up to her home, Suzanne Simmons suddenly faced that choice. She quickly picked this family heirloom teapot, and an old lantern. She was also able to evacuate her dogs, goats, chickens and an alpaca.

STONE CANYON WILDFIRE BURN SCAR
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
On the Stone Canyon fire burn scar, Thursday, August 8, 2024.
The burned out remains of the barn at the home of Suzanne Simmons
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
The burned out remains of the barn at the home of Suzanne Simmons in Stone Canyon above Lyons, a week after fire crews saved her house from a wildfire. She was able to evacuate all four of her dogs, four goats, one alpaca, five hens and a rooster, but her home now sits in the middle of a massive burn scar.

Thank you firefighters sign in Stone Canyon
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
“Thank You Firefighters, God Bless You,” reads a sign surrounded by the burn scar in Stone Canyon in the foothills above Lyons after wildfire scorched the area.

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