State EOC: June 30 Situational Awareness Report (#COfire)

The State EOC remains activated to monitor events across the State and to support the following active fires:
  • High Park Fire in Larimer County
  • Waldo Canyon Fire in El Paso County
  • Weber Fire in Montezuma County
  • Pine Ridge Fire in Mesa County
  • Flagstaff Fire in Boulder County
  • Little Sand Fire in Archuleta County
  • Treasure Fire in Lake County
  • Lightner Creek Fire in La Plata County
  • Stateline Fire in La Plata County
  • Eby Creek Fire in Eagle County
View the June 30 State EOC Situational Awareness Report.

Waldo Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Guide: June 30 (#WaldoCanyonFire)

The purpose of this Relief and Recovery Guide is to connect Colorado residents affected by the Waldo Canyon Fire with disaster assistance and information. The Guide lists information on many programs and agencies. Updates and verification are continuously being made to this document.

You are welcome to dial 2-1-1, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for help in finding available disaster assistance services. Language translation services are available. Individuals with hearing and speech disabilities can call Relay Colorado at 7-1-1 (or 1-800-659-2656) to indirectly access Colorado 2-1-1.

You can also visit www.211colorado.communityos.org to review resources and search the database of services in your local community. Colorado 2-1-1 will help identify the best local resources to fit your individual needs after a disaster or for life’s everyday situations.


View or download the Waldo Canyon Relief and Recovery Guide.

Waldo Canyon Fire Photos (#WaldoCanyonFire)

Waldo Canyon Fire photos from FEMA photographer Michael Reiger are available to view at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildland-fires-2012/tags/waldocanyonfire/  .



Pine Ridge Fire Update: June 30 at 1:30 PM (#PineRidgeFire)

Update from Pine Ridge Fire Public Information Officer


Current Situation: 

The fire was less aggressive yesterday but remained active until 2:00 a.m.  Crews will continue to reinforce the southwest corner while keeping it south of Horseshoe and Sulphur Canyons, west of the Colorado River and I-70, north of Main Canyon, and east of Mustang Ranch. The main priority remains protection of public and firefighters.

Crews on the northeast and northwest sections of the incident will construct fireline working off the roads and conducting burnout operations to remove unburned vegetation.  On the west flank of the fire, crews will hold and improve line as they mop up and remove low branches from pinyon and juniper trees to keep fire on the ground and easier to control.  Protection of Cottonwood galleries along the Colorado River is also a primary focus.

“The weather’s on our side today and we’re making good progress,” said Operation Section Chief Russ Long.  Temperatures will be slightly cooler with low relative humidity and winds out of the west. This will increase the potential for fire activity on the north and south flanks to push east. With lighter winds, the potential for long range spotting will lessen.

As of 6:00 a.m. this morning, management of the Pine Ridge Fire transitioned from the local Upper Colorado River Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) to the Rocky Mountain Type 1 IMT.  This will allow local fire management the opportunity to regroup and prepare for other initial attack and response needs. Several UCR Type 3 IMT members will continue working with the Rocky Mountain IMT.


Closures: 

Mesa County, Colorado Tonight at 9:30 p.m., Sheriff Stan Hilkey in tangent with the Pine Ridge Fire Incident Commander and the DeBeque Fire Chief lifted the evacuation order for some of the residents displaced yesterday in the area south of the Town of DeBeque. The evacuation order remains in place, EXCEPT FOR:

•             Areas along Interstate 70 and the Frontage Road from the DeBeque Interchange south to S 1/2 Road
•             Between the Colorado River and 45.5 Road 
•             This include people with addresses on I-70 Frontage Road, S 1/2 Road, U Road, T Road and those address along 45.5 Road from I-70 to T Road
A fire warning is still in effect for this area and these residents, should they choose to return home, should remain on pre-evacuation alert. Mandatory evacuation orders are still in place for areas east of 45.5 Road from T Road south to Hwy 65. This includes those residents on or near Horse Canyon Road or "Turkey Tracks."  The danger in these areas remains very high. 

1-70 is currently open but travelers should be aware that road closures could be implemented if fire activity warrants.

Community Meeting: 

A community meeting is being held today at 5:30 pm at The Community Center, 397 Minter Ave, DeBeque. 

Fire Statistics:   

Location: 10 miles northeast of Grand Junction, CO                                        
Start Date: June 27, 2012
Size:  12,431 acres                                                                                         
 Percent Contained: 10
Cause:  Lightning                                            
Total Personnel: Approximately 435    
Resources Include: 15 hand crews, 21 engines,  and overhead personnel.
Air Resources: 3 helicopters, 1 Skycrane arriving today, 4 heavy air tankers and fixed wing support



Pine Ridge Fire Update: June 30 (#PineRidgeFire)


Information from Pine Ridge Fire Public Information Officer

Firefighters doubled their containment on the Pine Ridge Fire and halted its advance at the Colorado River. Containment now stands at 10%.

The fire’s growth was slowed significantly on June 29; however, exact figures will not be available until after a crew conducts infrared analysis.  Three unoccupied tents and campers were destroyed when the fire crossed Mustang Ranch Thursday.  Cost of the lost structures is unknown. The area is unsafe for owners of those structures to return at this time. 

Crews built on overnight success by adding containment on the westernmost portion of the fire near its origin referred to as the fire’s heel.  Firefighters hope to advance on the footholds created by their containment.  Crews from Saskatchewan provided much needed fire retardant today from two air tankers and a spotter airplane owned by the Canadian government.   A total of four air tankers provided support today. 

A Type 1 Incident crew has arrived and will assume responsibility of fighting this blaze at 6:00 a.m. Saturday.  The Rocky Mountain Type 1 Team will begin operations led by the former Incident Commander of the High Park Fire. 

There are currently no new evacuations or pre-evacuation orders in place.

Fire information about the Pine Ridge Fire is available on www.inciweb.org.

For information about preparing for possible evacuations, log on to www.sheriff.mesacounty.us.


Pine Ridge Fire Media Phone Line: 970-579-0050

High Park Fire Update: June 30 at 11 AM (#HighParkFire)

Information from the High Park Fire Public Information Officer


Fire officials have announced the lifting of all evacuations and the opening of all roads in the High Park Fire area at noon today. This includes Highway 14 in the Poudre Canyon. Certain access and recreation restrictions will apply, and are summarized below:

- The Pingree Park, Upper Buckhorn, Monument Gulch, and Rist Canyon neighborhoods will be restricted to residents only. Residents should be prepared to show identification at checkpoints. Monument Gulch residents are asked to enter using Pingree Park Road instead of Buckhorn Road.

- In the lower Poudre Canyon (Hwy 287 to Pingree Park Road), recreational access is limited to river access only. Trailheads, campgrounds, and picnic areas remain closed. Hiking and dispersed camping is prohibited throughout the Lower Poudre Canyon. 

- In the upper Poudre Canyon, limited camping opportunities will begin Monday (7/2). Dispersed camping along Pingree Park Road is prohibited. Contact the U.S. Forest Service for specific information on closures and restrictions at www.fs.usda.gov/arp

- Fire danger remains very high. Larimer County and U.S. Forest Service fire restrictions remain in effect and citizens are reminded to be cautious and vigilant while in recreational areas.

- Drivers should stay alert for frequent fire traffic, debris flows with ash from thunderstorms, rocks that have rolled onto roads, and other distracted drivers. 

Jim Toomey
Public Information Officer
Larimer County Sheriff's Office
970-980-2501

Disaster Rental Assistance Information

Disaster rental assistance information is available for High Park Fire and Waldo Creek Fire communities.  Please visit the Disaster Recovery Centers in your community to speak to a representative about the rental assistance.

High Park Fire Disaster Recovery Center

Johnson Hall at Colorado State University
950 E. Drive, Room  #222
Fort Collins, Colorado

Disaster Rental Assistance Information for High Park Fire


Waldo Canyon Fire Disaster Recovery Center

El Paso County Department of Human Service Building
105 North Spruce Street
Colorado Springs, CO

Disaster Rental Assistance Information for Waldo Canyon Fire 

State EOC Situational Awareness Report: June 29

The State EOC remains activated to monitor conditions across the State and to support the following active incidents:

  • High Park Fire in Larimer County
  • Waldo Canyon Fire in El Paso County
  • Weber Fire in Montezuma County
  • Pine Ridge Fire in Mesa County
  • Flagstaff Fire in Boulder County
  • Little Sand Fire in Archuleta County
  • Treasure Fire in Lake County
  • Lightner Creek Fire in La Plata County
  • Stateline Fire in La Plata County
  • Eby Creek Fire in Eagle County
View a copy of the June 29 State EOC Situational Awareness Report.

Wireless Emergency Alerts Activated for the NWS


FEMA to Activate Wireless Emergency Alerts for the National Weather Service on June 28

Key Points

  • Beginning at 12:00 p.m. MDT, the most critical National Weather Service warnings will be triggering Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on WEA-capable phones. 
  • National Weather Service produced Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) messages are pushed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).  These messages are formatted to trigger a WEA broadcast for the following types of NWS warnings:
    • Tornado Warnings
    • Flash Flood Warnings
    • Hurricane and Typhoon Warnings
    • Extreme Wind Warnings
    • Blizzard and Ice Storm Warnings
    • Dust Storm Warnings
    • The NWS will be working to enable Tsunami Warnings for WEA through the summer.

Links for More Information:


LEPC Training Conference Scheduled for September

The Annual LEPC training conference will be held in September.  The information is now available to register on COTRAIN using Course ID #1034192.  
 
LEPC Training Conference flyer has logistic information for the event.

Lodging for emergency managers and LEPC members can be obtained by contacting Cindy VonFeldt at 

High Park Fire Update: June 29 (#HighParkFire)

Information from the High Park Fire Public Information Officer



The High Park Fire is estimated at 87,284 acres, meaning the fire has not grown since June 27th. Containment is now estimated at 85 percent. The estimated containment date has been moved up from July 15th to July 1st. The current cost of the fire to date is estimated at 36.4 million dollars. There are 1,125 personnel assigned to the firefighting effort. Equipment resources include: 3 Type 1 hand crews, 9 Type 2 hand crews, 79 engines, 9 dozers and 12 water tenders. Air Resources include; 1 Type I (heavy) helicopters, 1 Type II (medium) helicopters, 2 Type III (light) helicopters, fixed wing support aircraft, and available heavy air tankers.

It should be noted that "containment" means that a containment line exists around the fire, which fire managers believe will hold the fire within the perimeter. "Control" means that the fire is actually out which, on a fire of this magnitude, typically requires an act of nature such as prolonged rain or snowfall. Islands of fire will continue to burn within the perimeter during the containment phase and residents should expect to see smoke for days and weeks as the fire moves from containment to control.

Current Situation:

On all portions of the fire, line reinforcement, holding, mop-up and rehabilitation continue. Operations personnel continue to secure the southwest portion of the fire. Fire line rehabilitation continues in all areas. The fire team has made many resources available for reassignment to other fires, but is keeping crews and equipment to sustain effective suppression work across the High Park Fire. 

Planned Actions:

Line reinforcement, holding, mop-up and structure protection to maintain existing control efforts will continue. A Cobra heat-sensing helicopter will be working over the fire beginning at 8:00 am to detect remaining heat sources, and to guide firefighters to remaining heat pockets in the interior of the burn area. 

Reintegration:

The majority of evacuated residents have been allowed to return to their neighborhoods. Fire officials will spend the next 24 hours assessing the remaining evacuation zones to determine when they can be reopened. The following areas are still closed to all traffic and under evacuation:

- Areas accessed from Pingree Park Road (CR63E)

- Areas accessed from Old Flowers Road (CR52E) west of the 8000 block

- Areas accessed from Buckhorn Road (CR44H)

- Areas accessed from Hwy 14 between Mishiwaka and Eggers

Fire officials plan to allow residents to enter the 12th Filing of Glacier View at noon today. These residents will need credentials, which can be picked up at the roadblock on Eiger Road.
Drivers should stay alert for frequent fire traffic, debris flows with ash from thunderstorms, rocks that have rolled onto roads, and other distracted drivers. Citizens should stay out of burnt timber. Fire-weakened trees can fall unexpectedly and silently.

All residents returning to their homes need to remain vigilant and consider themselves in a pre-evacuation status until otherwise notified.

Structures Damaged:

The total number of homes destroyed to date has increased to 259. Two more homes have been confirmed as lost. One was in Laurence Creek; the other in the Old Flowers Road area (NOTE: this is a correction. These two additions were stated as being in Glacier View at today's media briefing). These homes burned when the fire was in the area several days ago, but were only verified during an assessment of the area yesterday.

It should be noted that the data of homes destroyed was developed during the firefighting efforts. A formal assessment of homes and outbuildings in now underway, and the total may change.

Weather:

Hot and dry weather is expected to continue today with morning sun, southwest winds, afternoon lightning and wind.

Resident Information (Meetings, Evacuation Notices and Evacuation Lift Notices):

Because so many evacuees now have access to their homes, no further citizen briefings are planned. Remaining evacuees are welcome to call the Fire Information line at (970) 498-5500. They may also obtain information at www.larimer.org/emergency.

Media Briefing(s):

The next media briefing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2012. Briefings are held at the CSU Department of Atmospheric Science, located at 3915 W. Laporte Avenue in Fort Collins.
The June 30th briefing will be the final media briefing. Media may continue to call the Joint Information Center for information at 970-980-2501.

Road Closure Information:

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office has a webpage dedicated to road closures due to the High Park Fire. Visit the link http://larimersheriff.org/site-page/high-park-fire-road-information for more information.

Additional Information/Resources:

Larimer County has opened the High Park Fire Disaster Recovery Center on the Colorado State University Campus at Johnson Hall. The center is open Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parking is free for victims on the south side of the administration building. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.safety.colostate.edu.

Public information is available at the Larimer County Emergency Information line at 970-498-5500 where information officers are answering the phone during the day and evening, and at www.larimer.org or on Twitter @ larimersheriff or Inciweb at www.inciweb.org/incident/2904/.

Find out if your loved ones are safe here (Red Cross Safe and Well Registry):

For the latest updated map of the High Park Fire, check out this link:
Residents are reminded to receive emergency notifications on cell phones or email and should visit the website at www.leta911.org.

For Public Health Advisories regarding wildfires, see "Wildfires and Your Health" at http://www.larimer.org/health/

Jim Toomey
Public Information Officer
Larimer County Sheriff's Office

Pine Ridge Fire Update: June 29 at 9 AM (#PineRidgeFire)

Update from the Pine Ridge Fire Public Information Officer

Firefighters working the Pine Ridge Fire today are focusing on keeping the fire west of Interstate 70 and out of developed areas.
 
Interstate 70 is currently open in this area, but intermittent closures are expected today due to firefighting activity and smoke. Traffic has been diverted around I-70 between mile markers 62 and 49, but this detour could also be closed if the fire crosses I-70 or the smoke becomes an issue.

The fire is currently estimated at approximately 12,000 acres with 5 percent containment. Two helicopters are supporting firefighters today, and four air tankers are available. 

Firefighters worked into the night last night burning out a fireline on the northeast side of the fire to help protect the Town of De Beque. They are continuing to secure that line today.

The evacuation on the southeast side of De Beque remains in place (south of U Road, west of 45.5 Road and east of I-70).

About 35 oil and gas wells are in the affected area of the fire. The operators have shut-in the wells, which means they are not producing oil and gas. 

A Type 1 Incident Management Team will assume command of the fire tomorrow morning.
For the latest information, log on to www.inciweb.org, or call (970) 456-3623.


Contact: Skye Sieber, Public Information Officer, 970 456-3623

Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit
Follow us on Twitter @UCRFireCenter
Media Hotline: (970) 244-3104

Current Colorado Fires Map from Colorado Division of Emergency Management: June 29 (#COfire)

The Colorado Division of Emergency Management has updated the map showing the current fires in the State.  Information has been updated for the Pine Ridge Fire, Flagstaff Fire and the Waldo Canyon Fire.

Current Colorado Fires Map on June 29

State EOC Update: June 29 at 9 AM

The State Emergency Operations Center is activated today to monitor conditions across the State and to support the following incidents:
  • High Park Fire in Larimer County
  • Waldo Canyon Fire in El Paso County
  • Weber Fire in Montezuma County
  • Pine Ridge Fire in Mesa County
  • Flagstaff Fire in Boulder County
  • Little Sand Fire in Archuleta County
  • Treasure Fire in Lake County
  • Lightner Creek Fire in La Plata County
  • Stateline Fire in La Plata County
  • Eby Creek Fire in Eagle County
The President declared major disaster for Colorado. Information on the support Colorado can receive is in FEMA's Factsheet on Federal Aid Programs for the State of Colorado Disaster Recovery.

Gov. Hickenlooper's Request for Federal Disaster Assistance Accepted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office of Gov. John Hickenlooper
Eric Brown, 303-548-5308 c
Megan Castle, 303-513-2713c
Gov. Hickenlooper’s request for Federal disaster assistance accepted
DENVER ­— Thursday, June 28, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper announced this evening that Colorado’s request for an expedited major disaster declaration has been received, reviewed and accepted by the White House.

“This evening we learned from the White House that our disaster declaration request has been accepted. We appreciate the quick review and response,” said Hickenlooper. “With this funding we will be able to provide much needed assistance to our communities affected by wildfires.” 


"This news, combined with President Obama's visit, makes clear that the whole country is with us in fighting these fires and recovering from their devastation."

Colorado’s recent wildfires have had a significant impact on local communities, which have suffered loses, damages and resource needs in both public and private property. The presidential major disaster declaration will bring additional federal assistance to Colorado communities in El Paso and Larimer counties impacted by the High Park and Waldo Canyon Fires.

"Brave fire fighters and emergency response workers are on the fire lines tonight in a number of our communities. We are grateful for all they are doing."
The major disaster declaration will bring additional federal assistance to Colorado to provide resources for crisis counseling and disaster unemployment assistance; public assistance for emergency work; and a hazard mitigation grant program.
# # #


State EOC Daily Situational Awareness Report: June 28 at 7 PM (#COfire)

The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated to support the current fires and to monitor the State for any new incidents.  View the June 28 State EOC Daily Situational Awareness Report.

High Park Fire Update: June 28 at 7:30 PM (#HighParkFire)

Information from the High Park Fire Public Information Officer


A great deal has changed in the past 36 hours, particularly with regard to progress on fire containment as well as roads and subdivisions being reopened.

The High Park Fire is estimated at 87,284 acres, meaning the fire has not grown for two days. Containment is now estimated at 85 percent. The estimated containment date has been moved up from July 15th to July 1st. The current cost of the fire to date is estimated at 36.4 million dollars. There are 1,125 personnel assigned to the firefighting effort. Equipment resources include: 3 Type 1 hand crews, 9 Type 2 hand crews, 79 engines, 9 dozers and 12 water tenders. Air Resources include; 3 Type I (heavy) helicopters, 4 Type III (light) helicopters, fixed wing support aircraft, and available heavy air tankers.

It should be noted that "containment" means that a containment line exists around the fire, which fire managers believe will hold the fire within the perimeter. "Control" means that the fire is actually out which, on a fire of this magnitude, typically requires an act of nature such as prolonged rain or snowfall. Islands of fire will continue to burn within the perimeter during the containment phase and residents should expect to see smoke for days, weeks, and even months as the fire moves from containment to control.

Current Situation:

 

The fire continues to smolder and creep in steep, inaccessible areas with heavy beetle killed timber. Record low live fuel moistures with high temperatures, low relative humidity, and gusty thunderstorm winds continue to present a risk for escape. There have been several flashflood warnings within the area. Evacuation and re-entry to subdivisions pose continuing security and trespassing safety concerns. Portions of Colorado Highway 14 remain closed, impacting access to and use of popular recreation areas. The fire team has made many resources available for reassignment to other fires, but is keeping crews and equipment to sustain effective suppression work across the High Park Fire.
 

Planned Actions:

Line reinforcement, holding, mop-up and structure protection to maintain existing control efforts will continue. The remote sensing data will be used tactically to guide firefighters to remaining heat pockets around structures and within unburned islands in the interior of the burn area. Operations personnel continue to secure the southwest portion of the fire. Fire line rehabilitation continues on all divisions with resource advisors guidance. Spike camps are being closed over the next two days.

Reintegration:

Several areas were reopened to residents today, which allowed the majority of the evacuees to return to their homes. The areas that were reopened were:
- Rist Canyon Road, including all connecting roads, including the following subdivisions;
- Pine Acres - Whale Rock
- Davis Ranch - Rist Creek
- Rist Canyon - Stratton Park
- Spring Valley - Tip Top Ranch
- Laurence Creek
- Paradise Park
- Stove Prairie Road from Buckhorn Road to Bent Timber Lane
- Old Flowers Road from Stove Prairie Road to the 8000 block

Special credentials are needed to enter the Rist Canyon and Paradise Park areas. Credentials may be obtained at the road checkpoints. Residents will need identification showing their local address, or identification and another document such as a utility bill or a tax statement establishing their connection to the property. Residents of Laurence Creek should be ready to show identification at checkpoints and roadblocks. 

Traffic returning to the area is expected to be heavy. Residents who live south of Rist Canyon Road are urged to enter the area from the west using Stove Prairie Road.
Fire officials plan to allow residents to enter the 12th Filing of Glacier View at noon Friday. These residents will need special credentials, which can be picked up at the roadblock on Eiger Road. 

All residents returning to their homes need to remain vigilant and consider themselves in a pre-evacuation status until otherwise notified.

Structures Damaged:

The total number of homes destroyed to date remains at 257. 

Weather

The weather is expected to be partly cloudy this evening with isolated thunderstorms until 10 p.m. Weather conditions will become slightly cooler, with possible thunderstorms late Tuesday afternoon that could produce gusty and erratic winds near 50 mph. 

Resident Information (Meetings, Evacuation Notices and Evacuation Lift Notices):

Because so many evacuees now have access to their homes, no further citizen briefings are planned. Remaining evacuees are welcome to call the Fire Information line at (970) 498-5500. They may also obtain information at www.larimer.org/emergency.

Media Briefing(s):

The next media briefing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 29, 2012. The 9 a.m. press conference with the National Guard has been cancelled. Briefings are held at the CSU Department of Atmospheric Science, located at 3915 W. Laporte Avenue in Fort Collins.

Road Closure Information:

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office has a webpage dedicated to road closures due to the High Park Fire. Visit the link http://larimersheriff.org/site-page/high-park-fire-road-information for more information.

Photo and Video Links:

Photos and video from the National Guard of the High Park Fire are available at the following sites:

Additional Information/Resources:

Larimer County has opened the High Park Fire Disaster Recovery Center on the Colorado State University Campus at Johnson Hall. The center is open Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parking is free for victims on the south side of the administration building. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.safety.colostate.edu.

Public information is available at the Larimer County Emergency Information line at 970-498-5500 where information officers are answering the phone during the day and evening, and at www.larimer.org or on Twitter @ larimersheriff or Inciweb at www.inciweb.org/incident/2904/.

Find out if your loved ones are safe here (Red Cross Safe and Well Registry):

For the latest updated map of the High Park Fire, check out this link:
 
Residents are reminded to receive emergency notifications on cell phones or email and should visit the website at www.leta911.org.

For Public Health Advisories regarding wildfires, see "Wildfires and Your Health" at http://www.larimer.org/health/

Jim Toomey
Public Information Officer
Larimer County Sheriff's Office