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 yesterday. That team is 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.
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 continually patrolling
the fire perimeter, mopping up hotspots near the edge of the fire perimeter and
conducting fireline rehabilitation, including chipping tree debris on the
fireline and installing water bars to help prevent erosion.
Residents remain vigilant and have been
reporting small smoke columns within the perimeter of the fire. The vast
majority of these hotspots have been well within the fire perimeter and pose no
threat of escape.
The public is reminded to drive
cautiously and reduce speed when travelling on roads near the fire. Drivers
should stay alert for firefighters and their vehicles, distracted drivers, and
rocks on the roads. Citizens should stay out of burned areas since fire weakened
trees can fall unexpectedly and silently. Burned areas are susceptible to
flooding, debris, and mudslides when rainfall is received.
Resources include: 155 personnel, 2 - Type 2 hand
crews, 16 engines, 3 dozers, 4 water tenders, 2 - Type 3 helicopters and
available heavy air tankers.
Resident Information:
Residents may also obtain information at www.larimer.org/emergency .
All county-provided
dumpsters in the evacuation areas will be removed this afternoon with the
exception of the two dumpsters in the Buckhorn Canyon which will remain until
tomorrow afternoon.
Forest Service Information:
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.
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.
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
