Information from the High Park Fire Public Information Officer
The High Park Fire is
100% contained at 87,284 acres. A Type 3 management team, led by Ken Paul,
assumed responsibility for the fire this morning. That team will be based at
CSU's Pingree Park campus.
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.
Hot spots will continue
to exist 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.
Fire crews and other
work crews will be working in the fire area all week. Citizens are urged to
avoid the area if possible and drive cautiously and
defensively.
Residents are urged
to read the material posted at www.larimer.org/highparkfire regarding returning home and
clean-up efforts.
Current Situation:
Fire crews are patrolling the fire perimeter,
mopping-up hotspots near the edge of the fire perimeter, and conducting fire
line rehabilitation, including chipping up fire line debris and slash and
installing water bars to help prevent erosion.
Resources include: 150 personnel, 2 - Type 2 hand
crews, 15 engines, 1 dozer, 2 water tenders, 2 - Type 3 helicopters and
available heavy air tankers.
Resident Information:
Residents are welcome to
call the Larimer County Emergency Information line at (970) 498-5500, which will have a recording with the current
information. They may also obtain information at www.larimer.org/emergency .
Reintegration:
All evacuation orders
for the High Park Fire have been lifted and all county roads have been opened.
This includes Highway 14 in the Poudre Canyon.
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.
Forest Service Information:
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 and along
Pingree Park Road.
In the upper Poudre
Canyon, limited camping opportunities will begin Monday (7/2). 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. Citizens should stay
out of burnt timber. Fire-weakened trees can fall unexpectedly and
silently.
Burned areas are susceptible to flooding, debris, and
mudslides with even the slightest levels of precipitation. Conditions can
quickly change, wiping out a trail or obstructing river navigation and trapping
recreationists.
Road Restriction Information:
The following roads are
restricted to residents only:
- Stove Prairie Road
(CR27) from Buckhorn Rd (CR44H) to Highway 14
- Old Flowers Road
(CR52E)
- Rist Canyon Rd (CR52E)
from CR27E to Stove Prairie Road (CR27)
- Pingree Park
Road
Stabling for Large Animals Displaced by High Park Fire:
The Ranch and several
Larimer County 4-H families would like to match those in need of stabling for
large animals displaced by the fire with facilities that have space available.
Please call The Ranch at 970-619-4007 and leave your name,
phone number and number/type of animal or email LJack@Larimer.org .
Structures Damaged:
The total number of
homes destroyed to date remains at 259.
It should be noted that
the data on homes destroyed was gathered in the midst of firefighting efforts. A
formal assessment of homes and outbuildings is underway, and the total may
change.
Media Information:
No further media
briefings are planned. Media members may call the Sheriff's PIO line at 970-980-2501 for information. Current plans call for
updates only as needed.
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.
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.
John
Schulz
Public Information
Officer
Larimer County Sheriff's
Office
