RED FLAG WARNING issued July 18th from Noon to 7:00 PM
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for our area from Noon to 7:00 PM today. A combination of strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Any new start or growth may spread rapidly and result in dangerous fire behavior.
The National Weather Service Definition:
Red Flag Warning Definition: Informs land management agencies of the imminent or actual occurrence of Red Flag conditions. A Red Flag Warning will be issued when there is high confidence that Red Flag criteria will be met within the next 24 to 48 hours, or when those criteria are already being met or exceeded. A warning may be issued for all, or portions of a fire weather zone or region. Zones impacted by the event will be listed within the Red Flag Warning product.
Criteria: A combination of weather and fuels conditions (as determined by fire management) for any 3 hours or more in a 12 hour period. These criteria for the forecast area of the Denver/Boulder NWS office are defined as the following:
1. Frequent gusts of 25 mph or greater – AND relative humidity of 15% or less
2. Dry thunderstorms (15% coverage or more, constituting an LAL 6.)
OTHER FACTORS:
In addition to the basic criteria above, a combination of other elements may result in Red Flag Conditions:
3. Haines Index of 5 or 6, indicating a moderate or high potential for large, plume dominated fire growth.
4. Wind shifts associated with frontal passages.
5. First significant lightning event (wet or dry) after an extended hot and dry period.
6. Poor relative humidity recovery overnight (RH remains at 40% or lower.)
7. Any combination of weather and fuel moisture conditions which, in the judgment of the forecaster, would cause extensive wildfire occurrences.
Canyon Lakes Pile Burning Planned (Expect smoke in the area)
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Firefighters from the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest plan to take advantage of changing weather conditions as we move into late fall and winter to burn slash piles created from multiple fuels reduction and hazardous tree removal projects. Burning could begin as early as October 30.
These piles are only ignited under certain conditions, including favorable smoke dispersal and adequate snow cover. The areas are monitored after burning is completed. When and where burning occurs depends on the conditions listed above. Public and firefighter safety is always the number one priority in burning operations.
Over the last few years more than 25,000 slash piles have been burned on the district. Typically crews are allowed to burn as many as 250 to 1,000 smaller hand piles a day at each location if conditions are met, which includes a minimum of three inches of snow cover, and one to 40 larger machine piles could be burned a day with a minimum of six inches of snow cover.
Area with hand piles ready for burning are:
These piles are only ignited under certain conditions, including favorable smoke dispersal and adequate snow cover. The areas are monitored after burning is completed. When and where burning occurs depends on the conditions listed above. Public and firefighter safety is always the number one priority in burning operations.
Over the last few years more than 25,000 slash piles have been burned on the district. Typically crews are allowed to burn as many as 250 to 1,000 smaller hand piles a day at each location if conditions are met, which includes a minimum of three inches of snow cover, and one to 40 larger machine piles could be burned a day with a minimum of six inches of snow cover.
Area with hand piles ready for burning are:
- Magic Sky (located approximately 4 ½ miles southeast of Red Feather Lakes on south side of County Road 74E)
- Crown Point (located south of Rustic on Forest Road 139 near Salt Cabin Park)
- Pearl Cache (located 7 miles west/southwest of Red Feather Lakes along Forest Road 173)
Current Wildfire Information in Larimer County - as of November 13, 2018
November 13 -
Firefighters plan to take advantage of recent snow to burn piles in the Magic Sky project area, located approximately 4 ½ miles southeast of Red Feather Lakes, today and throughout the week as conditions allow. Expect to see smoke in the area.
November 6 -
Firefighters plan to take advantage of recent snow to burn slash piles at Crown Point, located south of Rustic on Forest Road 139, and Pearl Cache, located seven miles west/southwest of Red Feather Lakes along Forest Road 173, today.
September 14 -
Wildfire Update: Morning Update on Seaman Fire - Fire size remains unchanged. Good containment on the south side of the fire. Voluntary evacuation orders have been lifted. No damages reported to structures or the watershed. No current road closures. Firefighters will continue efforts toward full containment today.
September 13 -
Wildfire Update: Afternoon Update on Seaman Fire - Size is estimated at 240 acres, 25% containment. Smith Bridge Road area was a priority yesterday and the line has held today. Firefighters continue to secure the perimeter. Hot and windy conditions expected this afternoon. No damages reported to date. Voluntary evacuation of Smith Bridge Road remains in effect.
September 12 -
Wildfire Update: Evening update for the Seaman Fire - Fire is estimated at 150 acres, 25% containment. The Forest Service Type 3 Team will transition this evening at 6pm. No damages reported to date. Next update will be tomorrow morning unless conditions change.
The Seaman Reservoir wildfire, located approximately 5 miles west of Highway 287 on Highway 14 in Larimer County, Colorado, is approximately 100 to 150 acres and is moving southwest from the Seaman Reservoir. The Sheriff's Office is issuing a voluntary Evacuation for residents living on Smith Bridge Road. Please do not call 911 unless you are in danger.
November 13 -
Firefighters plan to take advantage of recent snow to burn piles in the Magic Sky project area, located approximately 4 ½ miles southeast of Red Feather Lakes, today and throughout the week as conditions allow. Expect to see smoke in the area.
November 6 -
Firefighters plan to take advantage of recent snow to burn slash piles at Crown Point, located south of Rustic on Forest Road 139, and Pearl Cache, located seven miles west/southwest of Red Feather Lakes along Forest Road 173, today.
September 14 -
Wildfire Update: Morning Update on Seaman Fire - Fire size remains unchanged. Good containment on the south side of the fire. Voluntary evacuation orders have been lifted. No damages reported to structures or the watershed. No current road closures. Firefighters will continue efforts toward full containment today.
September 13 -
Wildfire Update: Afternoon Update on Seaman Fire - Size is estimated at 240 acres, 25% containment. Smith Bridge Road area was a priority yesterday and the line has held today. Firefighters continue to secure the perimeter. Hot and windy conditions expected this afternoon. No damages reported to date. Voluntary evacuation of Smith Bridge Road remains in effect.
September 12 -
Wildfire Update: Evening update for the Seaman Fire - Fire is estimated at 150 acres, 25% containment. The Forest Service Type 3 Team will transition this evening at 6pm. No damages reported to date. Next update will be tomorrow morning unless conditions change.
The Seaman Reservoir wildfire, located approximately 5 miles west of Highway 287 on Highway 14 in Larimer County, Colorado, is approximately 100 to 150 acres and is moving southwest from the Seaman Reservoir. The Sheriff's Office is issuing a voluntary Evacuation for residents living on Smith Bridge Road. Please do not call 911 unless you are in danger.
Red Feather Prescribed Burn
Update for September 14, 2018 at 1100 -
Fire Managers in anticipation of hotter and drier conditions are actively burning about 10 acres of unburned vegetation in the prescribed burn boundary to create more depth in containment lines. Expect an increase in smoke in the area. The Red Feather North prescribed burn will remain on 24 hour staffing. Find more Information at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5027/
Update for September 11, 2018 -
Crews continue to monitor and patrol the perimeter of the Red Feather North Prescribed burn, 32 miles northwest of Fort Collins. Smoke and some interior flames will continue to be visible over the next few days as interior pockets continue to burn. No active ignitions are planned for the remainder of the week. Currently the prescribed burn remains under 24 hour staffing.
This week fire crews completed 958 acres of burning bringing the total accomplished to date since 2017 on the project to 4,150 acres. The purpose of the prescribed burn is to reduce elevated hazardous fuels near communities, promote more fire resilient landscapes and enhance wildlife habitat.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Canyon Lake Ranger District fire managers are monitoring conditions in the Roosevelt National Forest to return to operations on the Red Feather Prescribed Burn as soon as Friday. If conditions allow, burning could continue throughout the weekend.
Wildfires this summer are a serious reminder of how important proactive fuels management can be in our National Forests, particularly in the wildland-urban interface. This prescribed burn is located north of Red Feather Lakes, Colo., east of the Crystal Lakes Subdivision at 8,500 feet elevation.
A great deal of work has already taken place on this burn and provides a treated line or previously burned ground around much of the perimeter, leaving the interior portion left to burn. In 2017, 1,513 acres of the total 4,348-acre project was successfully burned. This March, firefighters targeted south-facing slopes and accomplished approximately 1,600 more acres. Approximately 1,000 acres remain of this fuels reduction effort.
Appropriate conditions must be met before burning can take place. Fire managers are carefully monitoring these conditions, including a favorable weather forecast (temperature, wind, precipitation, etc.), fuel moisture, smoke dispersal and necessary staffing.
Weather is monitored throughout the burn and burning will be halted if conditions fall outside of the required conditions. Public and firefighter safety is always the number one priority in burning operations. In ideal conditions, as many as 500 acres could be burned in one day.
To check the latest updates on when burning could occur, check our recorded incident information line at 970-498-1030 or follow us on Twitter @usfsclrd. To get added to the email notification list, send an email to rcloudman@fs.fed.us. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information see https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
Update for September 14, 2018 at 1100 -
Fire Managers in anticipation of hotter and drier conditions are actively burning about 10 acres of unburned vegetation in the prescribed burn boundary to create more depth in containment lines. Expect an increase in smoke in the area. The Red Feather North prescribed burn will remain on 24 hour staffing. Find more Information at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5027/
Update for September 11, 2018 -
Crews continue to monitor and patrol the perimeter of the Red Feather North Prescribed burn, 32 miles northwest of Fort Collins. Smoke and some interior flames will continue to be visible over the next few days as interior pockets continue to burn. No active ignitions are planned for the remainder of the week. Currently the prescribed burn remains under 24 hour staffing.
This week fire crews completed 958 acres of burning bringing the total accomplished to date since 2017 on the project to 4,150 acres. The purpose of the prescribed burn is to reduce elevated hazardous fuels near communities, promote more fire resilient landscapes and enhance wildlife habitat.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Canyon Lake Ranger District fire managers are monitoring conditions in the Roosevelt National Forest to return to operations on the Red Feather Prescribed Burn as soon as Friday. If conditions allow, burning could continue throughout the weekend.
Wildfires this summer are a serious reminder of how important proactive fuels management can be in our National Forests, particularly in the wildland-urban interface. This prescribed burn is located north of Red Feather Lakes, Colo., east of the Crystal Lakes Subdivision at 8,500 feet elevation.
A great deal of work has already taken place on this burn and provides a treated line or previously burned ground around much of the perimeter, leaving the interior portion left to burn. In 2017, 1,513 acres of the total 4,348-acre project was successfully burned. This March, firefighters targeted south-facing slopes and accomplished approximately 1,600 more acres. Approximately 1,000 acres remain of this fuels reduction effort.
Appropriate conditions must be met before burning can take place. Fire managers are carefully monitoring these conditions, including a favorable weather forecast (temperature, wind, precipitation, etc.), fuel moisture, smoke dispersal and necessary staffing.
Weather is monitored throughout the burn and burning will be halted if conditions fall outside of the required conditions. Public and firefighter safety is always the number one priority in burning operations. In ideal conditions, as many as 500 acres could be burned in one day.
To check the latest updates on when burning could occur, check our recorded incident information line at 970-498-1030 or follow us on Twitter @usfsclrd. To get added to the email notification list, send an email to rcloudman@fs.fed.us. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. For more information see https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.
| community_wildfire_protection_plan_flyer_3-27-18.pdf |
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office provided an updated to the Larimer County Commissioners on the current fire danger in Larimer County. The Commissioners approved rescinding restrictions immediately today at the hearing.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thanks
Larimer County Sheriff's Office
Photos courtesy of Amy McBurnie
Glacier View Fire Purchases Structure Fire Pumper
Glacier View Fire District is pleased to announce the arrival of our new-to-us structure fire pumper. This is a 1995 International Pierce pumper with a 1250 GPM pump and 750 gallon water tank. It will carry the full complement of structure fire equipment required to maintain our 8B/10 Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating. It was purchased from the Mountain View Fire District in southwest Weld County. We paid $35,000 for this pumper, which is about one tenth the cost of a comparable new pumper.
In the summer of 2016 we were evaluated by ISO. We were advised that because we did not have a structure fire pumper with adequate pumping capacity our ISO 8B/10 rating would be reduced to 10 across the entire District. This would have caused significant increases in insurance costs to about 80% of our current residents, and would have made insurance for new residents cost prohibitive, if it could be attained at all.
While this pumper is used, we believe it will serve us well for at least the next five years. We are especially pleased that we were able to purchase it from a local fire district. They have provided us with its full maintenance history, and will also assist in training our personnel. It has a fully enclosed cab that can carry four firefighters with all their gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus. It will be fully in-service by December 1. Later in December we’ll have a dedication ceremony for the entire community.
In the summer of 2016 we were evaluated by ISO. We were advised that because we did not have a structure fire pumper with adequate pumping capacity our ISO 8B/10 rating would be reduced to 10 across the entire District. This would have caused significant increases in insurance costs to about 80% of our current residents, and would have made insurance for new residents cost prohibitive, if it could be attained at all.
While this pumper is used, we believe it will serve us well for at least the next five years. We are especially pleased that we were able to purchase it from a local fire district. They have provided us with its full maintenance history, and will also assist in training our personnel. It has a fully enclosed cab that can carry four firefighters with all their gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus. It will be fully in-service by December 1. Later in December we’ll have a dedication ceremony for the entire community.
Glacier View Meadows Slash Pile Information
Mount Simon Fire
Glacier View Fire was paged at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, August 27, 2017 to a fire off Mount Simon Drive. Upon arrival, the fire was spreading quickly uphill through brush and juniper, driven by a moderate wind and was approaching the road. Mutual aid from Livermore, Red Feather Lakes, Crystal Lakes, Poudre Canyon, and Larimer County Emergency Services supported Glacier View firefighters to contain the fire late Sunday night. Glacier View Fire, with the assistance of Larimer County Emergency Services and U.S. Forest Service crews, continued to mop-up hot spots throughout the day on Monday and patrolled the area Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, watching for flare-ups. The fire was declared fully controlled and the incident was closed at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29th. The fire burned nine acres, all on private property, in steep, rugged terrain, threatening one home and two outbuildings. There was no known structural property lost and no injuries reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department. |
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Spring Glade Fire
Spring Glade Fire - July 22, 2017
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Glacier View Engine 501 at Spring Glade Fire - July 22, 2017
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Glacier View Fire Protection District provided mutual aid to the Spring Glade Fire southwest of Fort Collins on Saturday, July 22, 2017. GVFD personnel assisted fire suppression operations with a brush truck from mid-afternoon until after 10:00 p.m.
The following Information regarding the Spring Glade Fire was released by Jered Kramer, Public Information Officer, Larimer County Sheriff Office:
On July 22, 2017, at approximately 11:05 a.m. a smoke report in the area of Coyote Ridge south of Fort Collins was received. A crew from Loveland Fire Rescue Authority confirmed the fire on Spring Glade Road and agencies from across Northern Colorado responded to fight the Spring Glade Fire. (Excerpt from Larimer County Sheriff Office on 7/22/17 at 8:30 p.m.)
On July 23, 2017, crews continued aggressive suppression activities. Overnight, the fire did not increase in footprint. In the morning, better mapping provided by the Multi-Mission Aircraft revised the size of this fire to 371 acres. At the end of the day’s operational period, crews had 95% containment. During the day, aircraft ordered for the nearby Chimney Hollow Fire dropped a total of 3 loads on the Spring Glade Fire, two drops from the heavy-lift helicopter and one from a Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT). With two other wildland fires in the county today, resources were stretched. Engines from our partner agencies will patrol the fire overnight to monitor any change in status, and Fort Collins Natural Areas, Poudre Fire Authority, and Boulder County fire crews will return with LCSO Emergency Services to the fire line Monday morning, July 24, 2017.
Smoke will continue to be visible from this fire even after containment is completed at 100%. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. There are no evacuations active at this time, and no reported injuries or damage to structures. We again would like to thank our partner agencies who have been part of an incredible response to this fire. Information updates will resume as information becomes available on Monday, July 24, 2017. (Released by Larimer County Sheriff Office on 7/23/17 at 7:30 p.m.)
The following Information regarding the Spring Glade Fire was released by Jered Kramer, Public Information Officer, Larimer County Sheriff Office:
On July 22, 2017, at approximately 11:05 a.m. a smoke report in the area of Coyote Ridge south of Fort Collins was received. A crew from Loveland Fire Rescue Authority confirmed the fire on Spring Glade Road and agencies from across Northern Colorado responded to fight the Spring Glade Fire. (Excerpt from Larimer County Sheriff Office on 7/22/17 at 8:30 p.m.)
On July 23, 2017, crews continued aggressive suppression activities. Overnight, the fire did not increase in footprint. In the morning, better mapping provided by the Multi-Mission Aircraft revised the size of this fire to 371 acres. At the end of the day’s operational period, crews had 95% containment. During the day, aircraft ordered for the nearby Chimney Hollow Fire dropped a total of 3 loads on the Spring Glade Fire, two drops from the heavy-lift helicopter and one from a Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT). With two other wildland fires in the county today, resources were stretched. Engines from our partner agencies will patrol the fire overnight to monitor any change in status, and Fort Collins Natural Areas, Poudre Fire Authority, and Boulder County fire crews will return with LCSO Emergency Services to the fire line Monday morning, July 24, 2017.
Smoke will continue to be visible from this fire even after containment is completed at 100%. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. There are no evacuations active at this time, and no reported injuries or damage to structures. We again would like to thank our partner agencies who have been part of an incredible response to this fire. Information updates will resume as information becomes available on Monday, July 24, 2017. (Released by Larimer County Sheriff Office on 7/23/17 at 7:30 p.m.)
News from Glacier View Fire Protection District 7/17/17 Board Meeting
GVFPD Board President, David Burk, swore in Fire Captain, Dan Knox and new firefighters [from left to right]: Jordan Cross, Bridget Knox and Michael Dunlap with Fire Chief Warren Jones.
At its July 17, 2017 meeting, the GVFPD Board of Directors selected two new Directors from a well-qualified field of five applicants. The two new Directors are Steve Switzer and Cheryl Franz. Steve lives in Red Feather Highlands and Cheryl in Glacier View Meadows. Both will serve until May 2018 when their seats will be eligible for election. They join the current directors of David Burk, Randy Golden, and Wilfried Boehm. The current officers for the Board of Directors are:
President: David Burk
Vice President: Randy Golden
Treasurer: Cheryl Franz
Secretary: Steve Switzer
Board Member: Wilfried Boehm
President Burk administered the oath of office during the meeting to three new firefighters and a new fire captain. The new firefighters are Bridget Knox, Michael Dunlap and Jordan Cross. Dan Knox is the new fire captain.
At this meeting, the Board also took important action to maintain the District’s current Insurance Service Office rating of 8B. The Board directed the fire chief to develop a plan to reconfigure the District’s apparatus fleet to address discrepancies identified in the Insurance Service Office evaluation completed in the summer of 2016. The fire chief was tasked to provide the Board with a plan at the August Board meeting to implement necessary improvements.
President: David Burk
Vice President: Randy Golden
Treasurer: Cheryl Franz
Secretary: Steve Switzer
Board Member: Wilfried Boehm
President Burk administered the oath of office during the meeting to three new firefighters and a new fire captain. The new firefighters are Bridget Knox, Michael Dunlap and Jordan Cross. Dan Knox is the new fire captain.
At this meeting, the Board also took important action to maintain the District’s current Insurance Service Office rating of 8B. The Board directed the fire chief to develop a plan to reconfigure the District’s apparatus fleet to address discrepancies identified in the Insurance Service Office evaluation completed in the summer of 2016. The fire chief was tasked to provide the Board with a plan at the August Board meeting to implement necessary improvements.
Donations to the Glacier View Fire Department
There have been many requests for information about what can be done to support our Fire Department. If you would like to send a financial donation for the department, please send a check made out to "Glacier View Fire District" to 1414 Green Mountain Drive, Livermore CO 80536.
Glacier View Fire Department King Soopers Gift Cards: These cards may be picked up at the Fire Department and reloaded at King Soopers for any amount you choose to add. The Fire Department receives 5% of of the funds you load to the card and spend at the store. The entire amount you place on your card is available to you to spend for groceries, gas, pharmacy, Fred Meyer Jewelers and Loaf 'n Jug . Each card comes with $2.50 on it to get you started, and is our way of saying "Thank You" for supporting our local volunteer fire department.
Your help is always greatly appreciated!
Glacier View Fire Department King Soopers Gift Cards: These cards may be picked up at the Fire Department and reloaded at King Soopers for any amount you choose to add. The Fire Department receives 5% of of the funds you load to the card and spend at the store. The entire amount you place on your card is available to you to spend for groceries, gas, pharmacy, Fred Meyer Jewelers and Loaf 'n Jug . Each card comes with $2.50 on it to get you started, and is our way of saying "Thank You" for supporting our local volunteer fire department.
Your help is always greatly appreciated!
PayPal is also available to make it easy to donate.