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Saturday, May 4We're looking for scanner monitors...If you have a scanner and monitor the local emergency channels at any time of the day, we'd like to hear from you. Friday's fire report from Park County was an excellent example of sharing informaton. We'd like to get a number of people who can let us know when there's something going on in the community that others should be aware of. We could either a) put you on the Blogger "team" so you could make your own posts or b) have you page us when there's something going on. If you think you might be interested in joining the Pinecam team, drop us at email at wharrison@ibsys.com or kurt@myfsbo.com. -- Friday, May 3This Just In...Scanners talking about a fire in Harris Park. A chopper was called in to drop water on the blaze. Park Sheriff's Office says the fire is "pretty much under control." Info from page to Pinecam. --
No charges will be filed today in connection with the Bailey fire. The DA's office is still looking over the case file from the Park County Sheriff's Office. --
Watch an interview with Park County Sheriff Fred Wegener regarding charges in the Snaking Gulch Fire. Just click on the link below: --
Bailey Fire Update: The Park County Sheriff told 7NEWS that his officers had determined that the three Platte Canyon High School Students are responsible for the Snaking Gulch Fire and it is up to the District Attorney to determine if charges should be filed. "At this time we don't believe it was intentionally set," Sheriff Fred Wegener told 7NEWS Friday. "We still are going to arrest them for a couple of different crimes." Wegener would not elaborate on what the charges would be. He said that determination would be made by the D.A. Deputy District Attorney Dave Thorson says charges against the youths could be filed as early as today. Thorson says he's meeting this morning with attorneys for two of the three boys. The third boy has been cooperating with authorities in their investigation. We'll keep you posted. -- Thursday, May 2 A brief, intense hail storm swept through Pine Junction, Shaffers Crossing and Conifer within the last hour.Lighting hit one house in the 11000 block of Conifer Mountain Road, knocking out power, but caused no fire. Elk Creek Fire is onscene. --  This Just In...Park County Sheriff's Office News Release May 2, 2002 The Park County Sheriff's Office and Forest Service arson investigators have determined the cause and origin of the Snaking Gulch fire. The cause was determined to be either a cigarette, a lighter, or intentional fire setting. Three juveniles are being investigated in connection with this fire. For futher information regarding any charges or pending arrests, please contact the Park County District Attorney. --
Pinecam improvement: Kurt has figured out a way to put the text from the electronic CDOT highway sign on 285 at the Morrison exit onto the front page of Pinecam! Now, when you check Pinecam, you can see if there are any highway problems that you need to be aware of. Cool, huh? It's a Pinecam exclusive! -- This Just In...Unconfirmed Plague in Jefferson County Prairie Dog Population Dr. Jim Dale, DVM, MPH, Director of Environmental Health Services of the Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment announced a large-scale prairie-dog die off was discovered by employees of Jefferson County Open Space in late April, 2002. The Department of Health and Environment has investigated the area, on Jefferson County Open Space and Chatfield State Recreation Area property, south of West Trailmark Parkway and west of South Platte Canyon Road, and confirms that there is evidence of a prairie dog die-off. Initial investigation of the area indicates that the die-off began several weeks ago. The Department cannot confirm the cause of the die-off until testing of flea specimens is completed within the next three weeks. However, it is suspected that Bubonic Plague is the cause. The area is now posted with plague warnings. "Prairie dogs are very susceptible to plague and when a colony becomes infected with the disease, there can be a rapid die-off such as this" according to Dale. There have been no reported human cases of plague in the area and if precautions are taken the disease is not considered to be a threat to humans. Health officials are advising visitors to and citizens in the area to take precautions. The bacteria that cause plague can be transmitted to humans by the bites of infected fleas or by direct contact with infected animals. People should avoid contact with any species of wild rodents, especially sick or dead rodents. Dogs and cats should be confined so they cannot prey on rodents and then bring the disease home with them. Pet owners who live close to rodent populations should dust their pets with flea powder, following the instructions on the label. Controlling the fleas on pets will prevent the transfer of fleas to humans. If these reasonable precautions are taken, the probability of contracting plague is extremely low, according to Dr. Dale, Environmental Health Services Director. Symptoms of the disease in humans include sudden onset of high fever, chills, headache, nausea and extreme pain and swelling of lymph nodes. Symptoms occur within two to seven days after exposure. Plague can be effectively treated with antibiotics if diagnosed early. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should consult a physician. The Health Department will continue its plague surveillance of rodent populations in the County. Citizens are requested to report any unusual rodent die-offs to the Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment at 303-271-5755. -- From the Pinecam Discussion Board: I am concerned. I teach at Platte Canyon High School. I live in the Bailey area. My neighborhood was evacuated due to the Snaking Fire. It is no secret where the fire started. The suspected cause is smoking. 9-News is reporting now that a "timed device" source is also being investigated. No arrests have been made. We are told that the three students have been suspended from Platte Canyon High School. Ask any PCHS student who the three are, and they will tell you. Their identities are no secret. What concerns me most, now that I am back home and back at work, is the deafening silence. It concerns me because after High Meadow, those responsible were identified. The cause was investigated and identified. And this information was buried to...to...to what? Protect the kids involved, and their families? Protect them from what? Public scorn? Financial ruin? Accountability? Responsibility? You can read the entire article, and read the posts about it on the Pinecam Discussion Board. Please click on the link above to read the entire article and then post your comments on the discussion board. Thanks.
-- Wednesday, May 1
No decision today on possible charges against the Platte Canyon Students who allegedly started the Bailey Fire. A decision won't come any earlier than Friday, the Park County Sheriff told 7NEWS Wednesday. Here's a link to a Rocky Mountain News article: 3 truants eyed in Bailey blaze suspended "You will continue to see smoke and flames from the burned area for several days as the weather changes and remaining fuel burns off. Do not be alarmed. About 80 firefighters remain in the area, and they will continue working on the fire and monitoring it closely." - National Forest Service Firefighting resources came from the following states: Air Tankers: Arizona, Wyoming, Tennesee, California Engines: Colorado, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Minnesota Fire Crews: New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, Virginia, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota Aircraft: Idaho, California, Washington, Tennesee, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, Utah State Forest Service representatives from: Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Utah Representatives from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and USDA Forest Service (FS) --
Breaking News Email List Kurt now has the breaking news email list up and running. You can sign up to be notified when there is breaking news, or news of immediate importance, to residents along the 285 corridor (this will include fires, flooding, severe weather etc). You can sign up on the front page, on the left column. --
Firewise Workshop Notes:
Kristin Garrison from the Colorado State Forest Service started out by discussing wildfire behavior and prevention. She encouraged all home owners The handouts that were distributed illustrated how to build the defensible pace, documented fire-resistent plant materials, and grass seed mixes to educe wildfire hazard. The Forest Service does have foresters available to assist home owners in the construction of defensible spaces and post-fire reclamation efforts. Although building a defensible space is a labor intensive and time-consuming effort, a 10-step plan to reduce wildfire hazards were presented. This is something that many homeowners could probably accomplish in a weekend or two. There are also several all too common problems fire fighters face when defending structures during a wild fire. The first is that street addresses are often not clearly marked. She stated that many community fire departments have programs for making signs that are large, visible at night, and are fire resistant. The other problem is caused by steep and/or rough driveways. Structures can't be defended if fire equipment can't navigate the driveways. Kristin also stated that branches that overhang driveways should be cleared to permit access by fire equipment. For more information, her office can be contacted at 303-279-9757, or www.ext.colostate.edu The FireWise communities web site is www.firewise.org/communities The Colorado FireWise web site is www.firewise.org/co/ The Jefferson County Wildfire Hazard Reduction Program (WHaRP) was discussed by Rocco Snart. The service provided by WHaRP that most are familiar with John Pawlick from the Platte Canyon Fire Protection District discussed issues specifically related to Park Co. His attendance was greatly appreciated in the wake of the events of the past week. They are in the process of setting up a slash collection site as they did last summer near the top of Crow Hill. The date and location are unknown at this time. He reiterated the importance of building defensible spaces. As of June 1, Park Co. will be adopting defensible space requirements similar to those in Jefferson County for new construction and additions of more than 800 square feet. John explained that when a large fast moving wildfire is raging, there may not be enough trucks to defend all structures. If this is the case, fire fighters perform a triage effort to determine which structures are most "saveable" and concentrate on those, leaving others undefended. This occurs more frequently in the first few hours of a wild fire because many volunteer fire fighters are at work and it may take several hours for enough fire fighters to respond. Houses that have defensible spaces are the easiest to defend and minimize the risk of life to firefighters. Those home owners in Park Co. that would like assistance in evaluating the wild fire risk to their home can contact the Platte Canyon Fire Protection District at 303-838-5853. They will send somebody to your house to evaluate the risk and recommend changes. Thanks to Jeff Maresh, Conifer for the notes on the meeting! -- Tuesday, April 30
Pinecam Improvements: Added several more newsfeeds to the 24/7 newsfeed list - Denver Broncos news, Colorado Rockies news, Wildfire News, Yellowstone National Park news, and Space news. If you haven't checked out the newsfeeds section of Pinecam, please take a few minutes to see all that we offer. Just click on the "24/7 newsfeeds" on the left, or top, naviation bars. You'll find newsfeed subjects that range from parenting to financial news. Science news to sports news. Each "feed" searches the Web for current headlines on the subject you pick and brings you the headlines, linked to the stories. I like the Colorado Newsfeed, which pulls headlines from area newspapers (many mountain papers) with stories that you won't find in the Denver dailies. Check it out! Pinecam.com is a not-for-profit Web site serving thousands of mountain residents with news, information, and weather. Online (in one form or another) since 1994. --
With the wildfire season off to a dangerous start, Jefferson County is encouraging mountain residents to clear dry fuels from around their homes and deliver them to designated collection sites. Jefferson County sponsors the sites each year in partnership with local fire protection districts. The program gives mountain homeowners a low-cost way to dispose of combustible slash, such as dried leaves and tree limbs. By clearing that debris from around their homes, residents reduce the likelihood that fire will burn a path to their doors and destroy their properties. "We believe slash collection is vital, especially in years where the wildfire danger is high," said Emergency Management Director Judy Peratt. "Given the dry conditions we're facing, we hope mountain residents will take preventive action and get rid of the dry fuels that feed wildfire." Residents may bring tree limbs of up to 8 feet in length and six inches in diameter to the slash collection sites. Leaves and other yard debris will be accepted as well, but household trash, tree stumps and construction materials will not. The county will charge a small fee for each load of slash. Residents will pay $5 per load for small pickup trucks, $8 for large pickups and $20 for dump trucks. The charge for single-axle trailers will be $10 per load and $15 per load for double-axle trailers. Slash collection begins June 1 and runs through the end of August. Mountain homeowners may drop off their slash between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the following locations and dates:
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A new web site has been set up to help residents of our mountain community network with each other during wildfires and other emergencies. While the Pinecam web site is an invaluable source of information for the greater mountain community, small online neighborhood groups may be an easier way to keep in touch with what is going on in your own area. Through neighborhood networks, residents of a neighborhood can get information specific to their area and can be in touch with people who might be able to assist them if they can't get to their homes during an evacuation. (Conditions and traffic can be a problem as often only those who actually live in the affected areas are allowed in and sometimes, not even then.) For more information, visit the following web site: http://Lsquared02.tripod.com/MountainFireNetwork/MountainFireNetwork.htm And if you're interested in moderating a group for your neighborhood, please let me know! Lisa Lakel --
Advice On Tree Thining Last summer when I purchased my land, the Bailey fire department came out to the property and educated my children and I about fire mitigation and the dangers on this property. They were extremely helpful in choosing how to trim trees and which trees should come down not only for prevention during a fire but to help make our property even more beautiful through thinning. This is an invaluable free service that is only a phone call away! Each time we go over to the propety (soon to be home), I look at the trees in the ever-expanding area around where the house is to go and easily know where we need to work that day. Ann Smeal --
The three Platte Canyon High School students suspected of starting the fire have been suspended, and there are reports that they've been threatened. Click on the following link to read the story on The Denver Post.com - Bailey students return to class. The fire has been downgraded and a Type 3 fire team has replaced the Type 1 teams that had been onscene. Originally estimated at 2,590 acres, the fire was adjusted Tuesday to 2,312 acres due to more accurate mapping. Also, If you hear a plane flying over the fire it's shooting infrared, looking for hot spots. --
Email from Burland Resident: Monday evening between 7:30 P.M. and 8:00 three kids that looked ot be 12-14 years of age lit up their smokes while hiding in the grass an trees in my neighborhood. It looked also as if the were playing with the lighter just for fun. From my vantage point I could see them perfectly. They were in Burland Ranchettes on Doe Circle. I don't know their names but I know what they looked like. Two girls with dark complection and dark I was shocked to see them smoking in the grass and trees and playing around with the lighter. I just need to vent my frustration and wanted to say if anyone lives in the neighborhood and knows these kids...or if they could be your kids. Please keep them at home until they can be more responsible. The next time I see them I will know their names and take their picture for proof when I call the police. Thanks, --
Hello, My parents, my wife, and I have property immediately NW of central http://www.bkelectric.com/fire Tom Karnowka
-- Monday, April 29
REMINDER: Firewise Community Workshop Tuesday Night Tuesday, April 30, 7-9PM Dry conditions combined with dense forest vegetation have created hazardous Learn what steps you can take as a homeowner to reduce the wildfire hazards Information includes: Directions to West Jefferson Middle School: Turn north on Wolfe (Wolfe runs north of the Conoco Loaf & Jug), then Presented by the Colorado Wildfire Hazard Education Team (WHET)
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Can You Help With Firefighter's Picnic? I spoke to an individual who is well connected in the Bailey Area. He is approaching The Park County Sherrif and Platte Canyon Fire Chief for buy in on a picnic and possibly something(s) additional connected to the picnic day. It will likely require a permit and stamp off by Park County. Time frame on getting this done is short....window is 2 weeks. I have had a couple emails expreessing desire to help. With the short wick on this (Sorry no bad pun intended) there will be a need for support for supplies, provisions, donations and some volunteeers to help get this organized and rolled out quickly. I will get back with the key contact name(s) once I get the word this is a go. We'd like a list of core people willing to help organize this as there is alot to do in a short time and we will need some management structure to handle it effectively. Please call me at work (303) 978-3787 Days 8-5 or at home evenings (303) 816-1794. My work email is Merrifieldg@jm.com or also try me at Highcountry_14223@yahoo.com -- --
The fire was 100 percent contained Sunday night. The Denver Post has several articles of interest: this one, and another on a family from Pine Valley Estates who rebuilt after the Hi Meadow Fire (story link on top right column of this story). -- Sunday, April 28
Whoo hoo! We now have current local weather on the front page of Pinecam! Thanks to Web genius Kurt Boyer for writing the code that put it on the site, and thanks to Clark Huffman for sharing his computer weather data. The temperature is taken at his home on Clark Road in Elk Creek Highlands. Kurt hit the ground running. He and his family just moved in to Switzerland Village last month and they've already had to contend with a forest fire. The old weather "widget" that we had on the front page was from WeatherUnderground, and the temperature was from Centennial Airport. I've also added a link to Clark's graphic weather presentation on the left side of the weather page, and a link to to the Mesonet Bailey current conditions. Kurt will be adding some really spiffy things to Pinecam, as time allows. He already added the cool chat room for us locals (there was a great discussion in there the other night about the best local places to eat). What it means for you is more interaction with this site. We're planning some more additions, too, I hope you'll like. Pinecam wants to be your SOURCE for local news, information and weather for the area. You may have noticed I took the ads off the front page during the fire. Even though my page views go sky high during a local crisis, I didn't want to profit from other people's misfortunes. When you don't know if your house is going to burn down it's hard to look at an ad for another credit card, or new clothes. We've decided to remove the banner ads from Pinecam and offer free ads to the local community. Kurt will be working to get this up and running soon. It will allow you to fill out a little form and have your ad placed randomly on Pinecam at no charge. This is a "not for profit" Web site. (it always has been, this just makes it official) We've also added a "tip jar" where you can donate a few bucks to help Pinecam.com stay online. We're hoping to buy a new video card, to improve the picture back to what it was this time last year, and to buy extra Web space to increase Pinecam's space from 75 megs to 150 megs (more QuicktimeVR's and sections!) Just click on the link on the right side of the front page and contribute whatever you feel you can. (It's like NPR).
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SUNDAY UPDATE: The fire is 75 percent contained. Full containment expected tonight. Acres burned: 2,590. Homes threatened: 500 Homes lost: 0 (Way to go firefighters!) 11 crews working fire lines Sunday (down from 15 Saturday). 28 engines (down from 46 Saturday)
There was a house that burned to the ground last night in Harris Park. It was at 125 Random Road, which the Post identfied as Elk Creek Highlands. Quick-thinking neighbors ran out and dug a fire line around the house to prevent the fire from spreading into the neighborhood. There were no injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Denver Post.com - Snaking fire nearly contained Denver Post.com - Resort's manager is resigned to Glen-Isle's vulnerability Here's a graphic from today's Denver Post that shows all the big wildfires in Colorado...
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The FireWise Community Workshop was well attended with over 100 participants. Approximately two-thirds of the attendees were from Park Co. while the remainder were from Jefferson Co. Packets were distributed that contained a lot of useful information for home owners.
House Burns To The Ground
