The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management announces a new tool for situational awareness in the state for our partners and the community.
The report will be distributed Monday - Friday at 11 a.m. or daily if the State Emergency Operations Center is activated.
View or download the March 31, 2014 Colorado Daily Report.
News Release from Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control: Early Detection, Informed DecisionMaking, and Effective Initial Attack will Protect Lives and Property from Wildfire
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
690 Kipling Street # 2000 Lakewood, CO 80215 Phone: (303) 2394600
Fax: (303) 2395887
http://dfs.state.co.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2014
For more information contact: Micki Trost, Public Information Officer
EMAIL: Micki.trost@state.co.us
Cell: 303-472-4087
Early Detection, Informed DecisionMaking, and Effective Initial Attack will Protect Lives and Property from Wildfire
DENVER — Friday, March 28, 2014 — The Division of Fire Prevention and Control today presented its report on fire aviation to Gov. John Hickenlooper that recommends ways to improve Colorado's response to wildfire.
"The Division and its stakeholder advisory group really focused in on what we can do to address the wildfire threat in Colorado," State Fire Director Paul Cooke said. “The recommendations include options to enhance the State's aerial firefighting capabilities without purchasing a fleet of air tankers".
The report is in response to law passed last year (Senate Bill 13-245) which created the Colorado Firefighting Air Corps within the Division, but provided no funding for aircraft. Instead the law directed the Division to submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning strategies to enhance the state's aerial firefighting capabilities, by April 1, 2014.
The Division focused on ways to Increase the likelihood that a fire is suppressed in the first hours of its existence.
"As simplistic as it sounds, our goal is to keep wildfires that threaten people and property small," Cooke said. "We do this by developing the capability to detect fires earlier and locate them faster, and providing the local Incident Commander with data needed to make informed decisions regarding suppression strategy."
The Division's recommendations include:
- Focus attention and efforts on initial attack—the most critical time to generate an informed and effective suppression response is the first few hours of a fire.
- Develop the means to ensure that existing suppression resources are being used to their maximum effectiveness while ensuring responder safety.
- Implement a state-wide information management system that provides shared, collaborative, real-time information amongst all participants in Colorado’s wildfire management system.
- Develop early detection and remote sensing capabilities by securing aircraft equipped with modern fire-detecting sensors that should be operated to actively identify and locate small fires in high-risk wildland and wildland urban interface areas.
- Contract for four multi-mission rotor-wing aircraft to facilitate the initial attack response in Colorado’s rugged and remote locations.
- Increase the number of Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) under the operational control of the state from two to four.
Cooke says, "The large capital investment cost of procuring, revitalizing, and modifying air tankers does not present a best-value approach to meet Colorado’s wildfire management goals."
The report also suggests that the large air tanker need could be addressed with a call-when-needed contract, meaning that the State is not paying for the aircraft unless they are needed on a fire in Colorado. Cooke advised the Governor that this approach makes good fiscal sense. If the fire season turns out worse than anticipated, we then pay to have the tankers in Colorado.
The report also suggests that the large air tanker need could be addressed with a call-when-needed contract, meaning that the State is not paying for the aircraft unless they are needed on a fire in Colorado.
- Wildfire Information Management System Procure a state-wide license and provide training $100,000
- Multi-Mission Fixed Wing Aircraft Purchase two Multi-Mission Fixed Wing Aircraft equipped with high tech fire detection and communications systems $10 million
- Operate two Multi-Mission Fixed Wing Aircraft equipped with high tech fire detection and communications systems $1.7 million
- Multi-Mission Rotor-Wing Aircraft Contract for four Type III or larger rotor wing aircraft $4.7 million
- Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) Contract for four exclusive use SEATs $3.1 million
- Large Fixed-Wing Air Tankers Contract for two exclusive use large air tankers $11.9 million*
- Other Direct and Indirect Expenses Additional insurance, airport fees, hanger leases, tanker base costs, personnel, supplies and equipment, etc. $2.1 million
* This cost would be avoided if the State entered into call-when-needed agreements. If the large air tankers were needed on a fire, their cost would be charged to the fire.
According to Cooke, the improvements and capabilities recommended by this report will not ensure that Colorado will be free of wildfires. "Even under the most highly effective wildland fire protection systems some fires will continue to escape control efforts," Cooke said. "Under extreme weather conditions, such as those ignited during high wind events, a small percentage of wildland fires will become large and damaging." He adds that "efforts must be taken to create homes and communities that can withstand such fires; develop policies and procedures to promote public and firefighter safety; and educate the public that wildland fire is a natural part of Colorado’s landscape."
The report suggests that recommended improvements and capabilities will enhance Colorado’s ability to support local firefighting forces in a more efficient and effective, manner. "The result, according to Cooke, "will be a decrease the losses suffered as a result of wildfire in Colorado as well as the overall cost of fire suppression and post-fire recovery."
The full report can be found at http://dfs.state.co.us.
News Release: Ouray County Releases Identities of Plane Crash Victims
News release posted on behalf of Ouray County.
Contact:Marti Whitmore – Ouray County Attorney and Public Information Officer
Phone:970-626-5484
Email:mwhitmore@ouraycountyco.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Ridgway, Colorado – Ouray County, Colorado- March 27, 2014 - Recovery efforts today were focused on ensuring the recovery of the victims, as well as the fuselage of the plane, and any other remaining debris. Recovery crews have been successful in locating and retrieving the bodies of five (5) victims.
The Ouray County Coroner, Colleen Hollenbeck, has positively confirmed identification of the victims. They have been identified as Jimmy Hill, 48; Katrina Barksdale, 40; Xander Barksdale, 8; Kobe Barksdale, 11; and Seth McDuffie, 14, all of Gadsden, Alabama.
Next of kin of the victims have been contacted, and they are aware that the recovery efforts have been successful. The Coroner has maintained close communications with the victims’ family members throughout this tragic situation.
From this point forward, the NTSB and FAA will take charge of the investigation of the crash. The plane has been secured for the investigation.
This recovery effort has required the expertise and assistance of several local, state and federal agencies, as well as the efforts of plane manufacturer Daher-Socata; and commercial dive and salvage contractors Inland Marine of Denver, Colorado, and Beegle Aviation of Greeley. Ouray County, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Emergency Management, the National Park Service, Ouray County EMS, Ridgway Volunteer Fire Department, Ouray Volunteer Fire Department, Town of Ridgway Marshall’s office, City of Ouray Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, as well as representatives from FAA and NTSB have all worked closely on this difficult operation. OurayCounty especially thanks the restaurants, lodges, and other businesses in Ouray County for their assistance, and San Miguel, Gunnison and Montrose counties for their assistance in providing additional emergency support personnel.
Photos and news release provided by Ouray County Office of Emergency Management.
Final News Release: Ouray County Plane Crash
March 23, 2014 - 4:00 p.m.
Ridgway, Colorado – Ouray County, Colorado
Contact:Marti Whitmore – Ouray County Attorney and Public Information Officer
Phone:970-626-5484
Email:mwhitmore@ouraycountyco.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Recovery operation divers have been successful today in locating all five victims inside the wreckage of the plane. Video images taken by the remote camera were confirmed by the dive team.
Closer inspection of the wreckage has revealed extensive damage to the plane, and a location in deep silt. Due to the extensive damage and orientation of the wrecked plane, divers cannot safely recover any of the victims until the wreckage can be brought to shore. An aviation salvage team specializing in this type of wreckage has been contacted and will be on site on Wednesday to assist in the recovery.
The Ouray County Coroner has not yet identified the victims as they have not been recovered. Ridgway State Park remains closed at this time.
News Release #6: Ouray County Press Conference Announced for 4 PM
We will be having a press conference at 4:00 pm today (Mountain time) at the EOC, located at the Ouray County Land Use office in Ridgway. The land use office is at111 Mall Road, coming into Ridgway from the north (Montrose), the road is on the left, right across from the “Welcome to Ridgway, Home of the Grammys” sign. We will be providing an update of the day’s recovery efforts. Sheriff Mattivi and Kirsten Copeland will be available for questions at that time. I intend to send a press release right after the press conference with a summary as well. We will have a conference call capability at this location, and I will send out a bridge number a bit later.
News Release #5: Ouray County Plane Crash Update
March 23, 2014 - 6:40 pm
Ridgway, Colorado – Ouray County, Colorado
Contact:Marti Whitmore – Ouray County Attorney and Public Information Officer
Phone:970-626-5484
Email:mwhitmore@ouraycountyco.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Recovery operations today were focused on accurately locating the fuselage and evaluating logistical needs to recover the victims and the fuselage. Based on sonar images obtained today, it appears that the fuselage is intact, and that the wings are still attached.
Dive teams were on site today to confirm and mark the location for futher recovery efforts. Arrangements are being made to have additional crews and equipment in place as quickly as possible.
No victims have been recovered at this time, and no identifications are available.
The sheriff’s office has taken statements from eye-witnesses, and that information will be provided to the NTSB and FAA for their investigations into the cause of the crash.
Ridgway State Park remains closed to the public through Monday so that search and recovery efforts can continue. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will reassess the closure status later tomorrow.
Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Press Conference Announced from Ouray County Regarding Plane Crash
We are going to have a press conference at the Dallas Creek day use area parking area of Ridgway State Park, at 5:45 p.m., which is where media can stage for the rest of today. We understand that there are some cameras enroute. We are working on getting the area opened for media/press only, and expect those logistics to be worked out in the next hour. From the Dallas Creek day use area parking lot you should be able to get some video and photos without interfering with the recovery efforts. The dive teams are not on site yet, but are expected sometime after 1:00 pm. The Dallas Creek day use area parking lot is the most Southern entrance to the Park (closest to Ridgway).
News Release #4: Ouray County Plane Crash Update at 9:40 AM
March 23, 2014 - 9:40 am
Ridgway, Colorado – Ouray County, Colorado
Contact:Marti Whitmore – Ouray County Attorney and Public Information Officer
Phone:970-626-5484
Email:mwhitmore@ouraycountyco.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Recovery operations today are concentrating on locating the fuselage in the reservoir and retrieving both the victims and the fuselage, as well as cleaning up any remaining debris. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) will be handling all aspects of the investigation into the cause of the crash. Dive teams are expected to be on site by early afternoon. Search teams are on the reservoir in boats this morning. As additional information becomes available, it will be provided. Ridgway State Parkremains closed to the public today so that search and recovery efforts can continue.
News Release #3: Ouray County Plane Crash Update at 8 PM
Contact: Marti Whitmore – Ouray County Attorney and Public Information Officer
Phone: 970-626-5484
Email: mwhitmore@ouraycountyco.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 22, 2014, 8 p.m. - Ridgway, Colorado – Ouray County, Colorado - Search and rescue operations in Ridgway Reservoir have ceased for the night at approximately 7 p.m. Recovery operations will resume in the morning. The plane crashed about 90 feet from shore in 60-90 feet of water.
There are believed to be no survivors, but no victims have been recovered as of this evening. It is believed that five (5) people were on board, and the plane was enroute from Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Montrose, Colorado, about 25 miles north of Ridgway Reservoir. No identities of those on board have been released at this time, pending notification of next of kin.
The plane was registered to a corporation in Alabama. The Ouray County sheriff expects to have a dive team and additional resources on Sunday to finish recovery operations and any necessary clean-up of spilled fuel or debris. Colorado State Parks has closed the campground and day facilities temporarily, pending completion of the recovery efforts.
The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is supporting Ouray County with information distribution, however, all media calls should be directed to Ouray Couty PIO Marti Whitmore.
News Release #2: Ouray County Plane Crash - 5 PM Update
March 22, 2014 - 5:00 p.m.
Contact: Marti Whitmore: Ouray County Attorney & Public Information Officer
Phone: 970-626-5484
Email: mwhitmore@ouraycountyco.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ridgway, Colorado – Ouray County, Colorado - At approximately 2 p.m. this afternoon a small plane crashed in the vicinity of Ridgway Reservoir, just north of Ridgway, Colorado in southwest Colorado. The plane is believed to be a single-engine Socata TBM700. At this time there is no confirmation of how many people were on board, or whether there are any survivors.
Search and rescue is on site searching for survivors. A rescue dive team is also on site.
The plane is believed to be registered to a corporation in Alabama, and had departed from Bartlesville, OK and was headed to Montrose, Colorado.
The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is supporting Ouray County with information distribution, however, all media calls should be directed to Ouray Couty PIO Marti Whitmore.
Contact: Marti Whitmore: Ouray County Attorney & Public Information Officer
Phone: 970-626-5484
Email: mwhitmore@ouraycountyco.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ridgway, Colorado – Ouray County, Colorado - At approximately 2 p.m. this afternoon a small plane crashed in the vicinity of Ridgway Reservoir, just north of Ridgway, Colorado in southwest Colorado. The plane is believed to be a single-engine Socata TBM700. At this time there is no confirmation of how many people were on board, or whether there are any survivors.
Search and rescue is on site searching for survivors. A rescue dive team is also on site.
The plane is believed to be registered to a corporation in Alabama, and had departed from Bartlesville, OK and was headed to Montrose, Colorado.
The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is supporting Ouray County with information distribution, however, all media calls should be directed to Ouray Couty PIO Marti Whitmore.
News Release: Ouray County Plane Crash Update
Ridgway, Colorado – Ouray County, Colorado
Contact:Marti Whitmore – Ouray County Attorney and Public Information Officer
Phone: 970-626-5484
Email: mwhitmore@ouraycountyco.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This afternoon a small plane crashed in the vicinity of Ridgway Reservoir, just north of Ridgway, Colorado in southwest Colorado. It is unknown at this time whether there are any survivors. Search and rescue is on site searching for survivors. Rescue dive teams are in route to the scene. Further details will be released as they become known.
Colorado Flood Safety and Wildfire Awareness Week in Review
Colorado has more than its fair share of floods, flash floods, and wildfires. Last year was particularly devastating, with numerous wildfires and many areas experiencing floods. During the past week, in our effort to build a Weather-Ready nation, we have presented information to you on how to stay safe and minimize property damage during flood and wildfire threats.
When a flash flood warning is issued for your area, you need to quickly move to higher ground out of drainages or other low spots. It may be just a short run or climb to that higher ground.
Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities occur in vehicles. Do not drive through a flooded roadway. Instead turn around, do not drown. The water may be much deeper than you think because it may not be possible to see below the surface of flood waters that the roadway has been washed away. One to two feet of water will carry away most vehicles. Additional flood safety information can be found at www.floodsafety.noaa.gov.
Areas burned by wildfires are highly susceptible to flash floods, especially within the first two or three years after the wildfire has occurred. Wildfires by themselves destroy much property and occasionally result in fatalities within Colorado. There are actions you can take to protect yourself and minimize the wildfire threat to your property.
If you live near or within a forest or rangeland you are encouraged to make a defensible space around your home and other structures. Information on how to make a defensible space around your home can be found on the Colorado State Forest Service website at http://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/defensible-space.html.
River flooding from snowmelt or persistent rainfall can cause extensive damage to property. There are estimated to be 65,000 homes and 15,000 commercial, industrial and business structures in identified floodplains within Colorado. FEMA has online maps that show if you are in a flood risk area. To access those maps go to https://msc.fema.gov.
If you live in a flood prone area, buying flood insurance is the best thing you can do to protect your home, your business, your family and your financial security. To find an insurance agent and obtain other flood insurance information, go to FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program web site at www.floodsmart.gov. As a reminder there is generally a 30-day waiting period from the time a flood insurance policy is purchased to when it goes into effect.
Additional information on floods and wildfires is available from your local National Weather Service web sites.
Preparedness and safety tips are available on floods, wildfires and other hazards in Colorado on the Colorado Division of Homeland Security’s community preparedness website: www.READYColorado.com. Information is also posted daily on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/READYColorado and on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/READYColorado.
This blog was written by Jim Pringle, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, WFO Grand Junction
When a flash flood warning is issued for your area, you need to quickly move to higher ground out of drainages or other low spots. It may be just a short run or climb to that higher ground.
Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities occur in vehicles. Do not drive through a flooded roadway. Instead turn around, do not drown. The water may be much deeper than you think because it may not be possible to see below the surface of flood waters that the roadway has been washed away. One to two feet of water will carry away most vehicles. Additional flood safety information can be found at www.floodsafety.noaa.gov.
Areas burned by wildfires are highly susceptible to flash floods, especially within the first two or three years after the wildfire has occurred. Wildfires by themselves destroy much property and occasionally result in fatalities within Colorado. There are actions you can take to protect yourself and minimize the wildfire threat to your property.
If you live near or within a forest or rangeland you are encouraged to make a defensible space around your home and other structures. Information on how to make a defensible space around your home can be found on the Colorado State Forest Service website at http://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/defensible-space.html.
River flooding from snowmelt or persistent rainfall can cause extensive damage to property. There are estimated to be 65,000 homes and 15,000 commercial, industrial and business structures in identified floodplains within Colorado. FEMA has online maps that show if you are in a flood risk area. To access those maps go to https://msc.fema.gov.
If you live in a flood prone area, buying flood insurance is the best thing you can do to protect your home, your business, your family and your financial security. To find an insurance agent and obtain other flood insurance information, go to FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program web site at www.floodsmart.gov. As a reminder there is generally a 30-day waiting period from the time a flood insurance policy is purchased to when it goes into effect.
Additional information on floods and wildfires is available from your local National Weather Service web sites.
Preparedness and safety tips are available on floods, wildfires and other hazards in Colorado on the Colorado Division of Homeland Security’s community preparedness website: www.READYColorado.com. Information is also posted daily on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/READYColorado and on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/READYColorado.
This blog was written by Jim Pringle, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, WFO Grand Junction
Colorado Flood Safety and Wildfire Awareness Week: Wildfire Safety and Mitigation
During this Colorado Flood Safety
and Wildfire Awareness Week we have discussed floods, flash floods and how to
stay safe when flooding threatens. We
also told you that areas burned by wildfires are highly susceptible to flash
floods within the first two or three years after the wildfire.
Today we will provide you with
the information about wildfire safety and mitigation that could save your life
and minimize destruction to your personal property.
Colorado experienced some very
devastating wildfires in 2013, including the Black Forest Fire, Royal Gorge
Fire, and the West Fork Complex Fire which burned over 100,000 acres of forest.
Two people were killed and over 500 houses were destroyed from the Black Forest
Wildfire.
All wildfires need fuel to burn,
typically in the form of dry vegetation, as often occurs in forests, grasslands
and cured wheat fields. Tragically, some
wildfires also kill people and destroy homes, vehicles and other personal
property. If you live near or within a
forest, grassland or wheat field, there are some actions you can take to
minimize your vulnerability to wildfires.
Homeowner Mitigation
If you are a homeowner, the first
defense against wildfire is to create and maintain a defensible space around
your home. Defensible space is that area
around a home or other structure where fuels and vegetation are treated,
cleared or reduced to slow the spread of wildfire. Creating wildfire defensible zones also
reduces the chance of a structure fire spreading to neighboring homes or the
surrounding forest. Defensible space
also provides room for firefighters to do their jobs when fighting a wildfire.
More information on how to make a
defensible space around your home can be found on the Colorado State Forest
Service website at HTTP://CSFS.COLOSTATE.EDU/PAGES/DEFENSIBLE-SPACE.HTML
Wildfire Safety Tips
During periods of extreme fire
danger in forests and rangelands:
- You should check fire restrictions at http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html
- You should avoid being in areas where you might become trapped by a wildfire.
- You should avoid the use of matches or anything else which could ignite a fire.
- You should make sure that hot parts of motorized equipment, such as mufflers, are not allowed to come in contact with dry grasses or other potentially flammable material.
- If you become trapped or cut off by a wildfire see shelter in areas with little or no fuel such as rock slide areas or lakes.
For more information on wildfires
and fire safety please check out the following web sites:
- https://www.readycolorado.com/hazard/wildfire
- HTTP://WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/RIDGE2/FIRE/
- HTTP://CSFS.COLOSTATE.EDU/
- HTTP://WWW.NIFC.GOV
Colorado Flood Safety and
Wildfire Awareness Week continues through this Saturday.
This blog written by Jim Pringle,
Warning Coordination Meteorologist, WFO Grand Junction
Wildfire in Colorado, Where do you get Your Information?
Colorado Flood Safety and Wildfire Awareness Week: Wildfire Information
The wildfire names roll off the tongue.
The 2000s have been rough years for fire in Colorado:
- Hayman Fire,
- Four Mile Fire,
- High Park Fire,
- Missionary Ridge Fire,
- Waldo Canyon Fire,
- Royal Gorge Fire,
- Black Forest Fire, and
- West Fork Complex Fire
These are but a few of the fires
we have seen in the past 10 to 15 years.
Drought, pine beetle damage, the increase of habitation in the wildland
urban interface (WUI), years of tight fire management have all contributed to
the increase of high impact fires.
National Weather Service Support to Wildfires
To assist in your preparation for
fire, the National Weather Service provides a variety of fire weather forecast
products. Twice a day in Colorado, fire weather planning forecasts are made
from each weather service office serving the state.
A Fire Weather Watch may be issued
if in the next 12 to 48 hours the forecast includes gusty winds of 25 MPH or
greater, relative humidities of less than 15 percent for at least three hours,
dry lightning, or a combination of weather and fuel conditions that may make
large wildfires possible.
A Red Flag Warning will be issued
if these same critical fire conditions are forecast within the next 24 hours.
Both Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings are issued in coordination with
land management agencies.
The Fire Weather Spot Program supports
land management agencies for both prescribed burns and for wildfires. A Fire
Weather Spot Forecast is a detailed forecast for an individual fire.
For National Type II or Type I
fires the National Weather Service will detail an IMET Incident Meteorologist to a fire team to provide onsite
weather support and detailed fire forecasts.
If you live in the wildland urban
interface (WUI) there are a number of actions you can take to reduce your
personal fire threat including reducing
vegetation near the home and putting a fire resistant roof on your
home. More information is available from
your local fire department and at https://www.readycolorado.com/hazard/wildfire.
When a fire occurs, there may be
years of increased flood threat on the burn scar, as a healthy forest can
handle an inch to inch and a half of rain with no flood risk. Once the litter
and vegetation is removed by fire
as little as a half inch of rain in a short period can cause serious and
possibly life threatening flooding.
Colorado Flood Safety and
Wildfire Awareness Week continues through this Saturday.
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