After the Flames: Builders bustling in Black Forest

By Bryan Grossman

Lucky is an aptly named Betta fish.

He was rescued from a high school lab by Moriah Nelson, so she bestowed him his moniker.

Moriah was home alone last June, her father Steve away on a fishing trip, her mother Stacie in Colorado Springs, miles from their Black Forest home.

Stacie, seeing on the news that a wildfire was burning not far from where they lived, called her daughter. Moriah told her she could see the smoke from their house near Gun Club Trail. Stacie was coming home.

Not long after she arrived, a deputy from the Sheriffs Office was at their door, saying they had to evacuate. They had time to gather some family photos, the home computer and Lucky.

Two days later, while staying with friends who also were later evacuated the Nelsons saw via an online list that their home had been destroyed.

Our hearts just sank, Steve Nelson said. There were tears all around. It was kind of a feeling of disbelief. Its difficult to admit youve lost everything.

The Nelsons had lived in their home on Highline Drive for 18 years.

Its the only home our daughter ever knew, Nelson said.

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After the Flames: Builders bustling in Black Forest