Fires are still burning out of control in Colorado Springs, a major business and training location for our sport.

We just received word from USA Triathlon stating that "Unfortunately, our office was directly affected, and falls with in the mandatory evacuation area."

Also, pro athlete Michael Wiess, who is currently training and living in Colorado Springs tweeted the picture above saying he is only about a mile away from the blaze. We are keeping everyone in our thoughts during this dangerous time and hope that this crisis will end soon!

Colorado Springs, Colorado - As fires continue to rage along the Front Range of Colorado, The Pikes Peak Chapter of American Red Cross has opened two new shelters for the Waldo Springs Fire near Colorado Springs and one for the Flagstaff fire in Boulder:

• YMCA Southeast Family Center, 2190 Jetwing Drive, Colorado Springs, CO.
• Lewis Palmer High School, 1300 Higby Road Monument
This is in addition to the two shelters that continue to operate in response to the Waldo Canyon fire:
• The Cheyenne Mountain High School shelter located at 1200 Cresta Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906 serves the Colorado Springs community.
• The third shelter is opened at Summit Elementary School, 490 Meadow Park Drive, Divide, Colorado 80814 serves those displaced on the west side of the fire.

Additionally, the Red Cross has opened a shelter at the East Boulder Recreation Center, 5660 Sioux Drive, in Boulder, to accomodate evacuees from the Flagstaff fire.
All shelters have plenty of capacity and are well supplied to handle the community's needs.

Meanwhile, Red Cross shelters continue to remain open at Cache La Poudre Middle School in LaPorte for the High Park Fire and at Cortez High School for the Weber Fire outside of Mancos.

HOW TO FIND RED CROSS SHELTERS People who have been forced to evacuate can find out where Red Cross shelters are open by going to www.redcross.org or accessing the free Red Cross phone app. Both are refreshed with updated information every 30 minutes. Residents can also monitor local media-radio, newspaper and television-to find out where local shelters are located.

REGISTER ON SAFE AND WELL The Red Cross Safe and Well website is also available. People affected by the fires and flooding can access the site and let loved ones know where they are. There are several ways to register on Safe and Well, or search for a loved one. From a computer, visit redcross.org; from a smart phone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

SAFETY TIPS
People living in the areas of the wildfires should:
• Be ready to leave at a moment's notice.
• Listen to local radio and television stations for updated emergency information.
• Always back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape.
• Confine pets to one room so that you can find them if you need to evacuate quickly.
• Arrange for temporary housing at a friend or relative's home outside the threatened area.

HOW TO HELP
The best way the public can help these efforts is by making a donation to support Red Cross disaster relief. Please visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word "REDCROSS" to 90999 to make a $10 donation via your cell phone bill.