Colorado Wildfire Closes to 200 Yards of Bishop Castle as Hospitalized Caretaker Watches Remotely
Updated
Updated · KKTV · Jul 4
Colorado Wildfire Closes to 200 Yards of Bishop Castle as Hospitalized Caretaker Watches Remotely
3 articles · Updated · KKTV · Jul 4
Summary
A wildfire moved to within 200 yards of Bishop Castle in Colorado, leaving the landmark under immediate threat as access to the site remained blocked.
Daniel Bishop, the castle’s caretaker, said he confirmed the danger from a trail camera while recovering in a Colorado Springs rehab hospital after a fall left him with eight broken ribs and limited mobility for 5 to 6 weeks.
Bishop said he had cleared defensible space around the castle and revived an old fire truck to pump water from a source about a half-mile away, but could not stay to protect the property because of his injuries.
Family members said nearby homes and much of the surrounding community had already been lost or evacuated, while donations were coming in to offset lost gift-shop income during July, the castle’s key tourism month.
Bishop and his sister said #savethecastle reflects broad public support, but they also questioned whether enough fire-mitigation and protection resources had been deployed in a region long known for extreme wildfire risk.