Royal Gorge Rafting Fire
Regarding our account of the Parkdale Canyon Fire
24/06/10 14:35
To all those concerned or curious regarding my account of the Parkdale Canyon Fire:
Despite being misquoted by the media, my statement of the incident that occurred is my first hand account of what happened. I did not make "false accusations". As I was the first responder on the incident I called 911 at approx. 1:13 pm, I called the Tallahassee fire crew via a business partner around 1:15 pm, then I notified Mr. Greksa of the incident around 1:16 pm to see if they had a water car to help extinguish the fires.
I then raced down to the river to put out a large fire fueled by high winds that formed within a minute after the train had passed through our property on the north side of Hwy 50. I do not assert as a fact that the train started this fire directly even if I believe it did or did not. There is an investigation into the matter and that alone will determine what the cause of the fire was.
We recently put out a sizable fire on another occasion between the railroad tracks and the river on Friday the 19th with three of our river guides during a trip last week around 1:45pm +- and we were met by a local canon city fire crew who further extinguished the fire.
The most recent destructive fire in particular could have been started in many ways. I have my own account of the situations based on my experiences.
I do not take any of these accounts as a personal matter as it really does not have anything to do with me other than the thousands of dollars in business we have lost due to this unfortunate & tragic event. Despite this, I have been criticized for my account of this occurrence and attempts have been made to discredit the statements I have made as "false accusations". It has been stated that I have directly hurt the Royal Gorge Route Railroads business ~ I confidently assert that it is the fire that has caused any negative attention and has hurt area business, not myself as an individual. I took immediate actions to try and stop the spread of this fire and remedy the situation that became a fire out of control.
Their have been direct remarks questioning my character that have been verified untrue. All of this is unfortunate, unfounded & unnecessary, as I have only made direct factual statements as a witness to the events that occurred. My statements have not been made in a contentious manner or in an attempt criticize anything or anyone. Whether that is fully understood is beyond my control.
I personally know that the Royal Gorge Route Railroad is a quality business as we have worked with them for a number of years, not to mention having experienced their ride through the Royal Gorge myself; I highly recommend it to 100's of our clients every summer as well as to friends and family. They have provided to thousands of people every year a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else. I do not impose ill will towards their business or anybody that has a connection to them, as they are without question an outstanding business. If the train did accidentally start the fire I am certain it was just that, an accident.
My sincere consolations go out to all of those directly effected by this fire.
~ James Whiteside
Royal Gorge Rafting,
Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals
and The White Water Bar & Grill.
www.RoyalGorgeRafting.net
Despite being misquoted by the media, my statement of the incident that occurred is my first hand account of what happened. I did not make "false accusations". As I was the first responder on the incident I called 911 at approx. 1:13 pm, I called the Tallahassee fire crew via a business partner around 1:15 pm, then I notified Mr. Greksa of the incident around 1:16 pm to see if they had a water car to help extinguish the fires.
I then raced down to the river to put out a large fire fueled by high winds that formed within a minute after the train had passed through our property on the north side of Hwy 50. I do not assert as a fact that the train started this fire directly even if I believe it did or did not. There is an investigation into the matter and that alone will determine what the cause of the fire was.
We recently put out a sizable fire on another occasion between the railroad tracks and the river on Friday the 19th with three of our river guides during a trip last week around 1:45pm +- and we were met by a local canon city fire crew who further extinguished the fire.
The most recent destructive fire in particular could have been started in many ways. I have my own account of the situations based on my experiences.
I do not take any of these accounts as a personal matter as it really does not have anything to do with me other than the thousands of dollars in business we have lost due to this unfortunate & tragic event. Despite this, I have been criticized for my account of this occurrence and attempts have been made to discredit the statements I have made as "false accusations". It has been stated that I have directly hurt the Royal Gorge Route Railroads business ~ I confidently assert that it is the fire that has caused any negative attention and has hurt area business, not myself as an individual. I took immediate actions to try and stop the spread of this fire and remedy the situation that became a fire out of control.
Their have been direct remarks questioning my character that have been verified untrue. All of this is unfortunate, unfounded & unnecessary, as I have only made direct factual statements as a witness to the events that occurred. My statements have not been made in a contentious manner or in an attempt criticize anything or anyone. Whether that is fully understood is beyond my control.
I personally know that the Royal Gorge Route Railroad is a quality business as we have worked with them for a number of years, not to mention having experienced their ride through the Royal Gorge myself; I highly recommend it to 100's of our clients every summer as well as to friends and family. They have provided to thousands of people every year a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else. I do not impose ill will towards their business or anybody that has a connection to them, as they are without question an outstanding business. If the train did accidentally start the fire I am certain it was just that, an accident.
My sincere consolations go out to all of those directly effected by this fire.
~ James Whiteside
Royal Gorge Rafting,
Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals
and The White Water Bar & Grill.
www.RoyalGorgeRafting.net
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