The 285 Corridor Disaster Response Team Inc. Board of Directors will hold a community meeting on Monday, June 10, 2002 at 7:00 p.m., at the Elk Creek Fire Dept. - Station #1 (across from Richmond Hil Road).

The purpose of the meeting will be to introduce the organization, how we came about, how we want to be of
assistance during and after fires or other major disasters along the corridor.

For more information, contact the 285 CDRT at 303-838-1929.
posted by Jim Intriglia at 5:05 PM

North Pole Fire Intentionally Set

Community meeting about fire danger postponed due to fire
Link: Colorado Springs Gazette story
posted by Pinecamguy at 6:02 AM

UPDATE: North Pole Fire Intentionally Set

After fire investigators surveyed the North Pole Fire, the burned acreage is now reduced to 6.5 acres. The original fire that started on Fountain Road
grew to two acres and is 100% contained. This portion is closest to homes and it does not appear that an evacuation will be needed unless the winds change direction. The original fire jumped a dirt road starting a second fire that is 4.5 acres. The second fire is only 30% contained and is expected to be 100% contained by Friday morning.

This fire has been determined to be human caused and appears to be intentionally set. This is the fourth fire to be intentionally set in this area within the past two weeks.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office is asking the public to assist with these crimes before loss of life and structures occur. Anyone having information about who is setting these fires is asked to contact the El Paso County Sheriff's Office at 390-5555.

posted by Pinecamguy at 8:55 PM

North Poll Fire Update

-After assessing the fire in a flyover...... The size is estmated at about 6 ½ acres.

-Fire is about 20% contained

-there is a main fire and two spot fires

-No evacuations but people have been warned

-Lots of resources were thrown at this fire early because of the dry conditions to make sure the fire did not get out of control

-Resources on fire:

-2 helicopters

-2 single engine air tankers

-1 heavy air tanker

-Two type 2 forest service hand crews made up of 20 people each

-Local fire crews from: Cascade, Green Mountain Falls, El Paso County Wildland, Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs Utilities Wildland, and Fort Carson.

-Residents in the areas of Fountain Road and Poplar, north to Fountain Road and Emporia are asked to be prepared to evacuate if needed. This is only a precaution.
posted by Pinecamguy at 8:20 PM

North Poll Fire Near Colorado Springs

Now up to 5 acres and not as intense as it was earlier.

It has primarily moved to the ground, though there was some torching earlier.

Fire is burning away from homes in the area.

Ranger station at Pikes Peak Highway:

-The main entrance of Pikes Peak Highway has been closed. Visitors already on the Highway are being re-routed to the North Slope Entrance which is normally closed. This will go through Edlow Road (not sure on spelling) This will take them through the Catamount Reservoirs.

-The ranger spotters say the fire is still growing and is moving in a Northwesterly direction

-250 yards off of the Pikes Peak Highway

-El Paso County Says:

-30 homes are in the area but no evacuations. They have been warned

the fire is near the North Pole amusement Park

-Cause is not known at this time

The Denver Channel - Forest Fire Reported Near Cascade

Check scanner updates for the latest info.

posted by Pinecamguy at 5:09 PM

RARE PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE TO BE VISIBLE OVER COLORADO JUNE 10

Barring the common late afternoon thunderstorms of June, Coloradans will get a rare chance to see the moon slide across the face of the sun during a partial solar eclipse on June 10.

Solar eclipses usually occur twice a year, but are not always visible from the United States, according to experts at Fiske Planetarium and Sommers-Bausch Observatory at the University of Colorado at Boulder. In fact, the next chance to see a solar eclipse in Colorado won't be until May 20, 2012, according to Robert Stoller, operations manager at Fiske Planetarium.

The June 10 eclipse will start about 6:20 p.m. when the moon begins to pass directly between the Earth and sun, according to Keith Gleason, coordinator of the Sommers-Bausch Observatory. The observatory will be open at 5 p.m. that day to allow the public safe viewing of the sun through its heliostat, a specialized solar telescope. The 16- and 18-inch telescopes also will be open for evening planet viewing.

"From our vantage point, it will appear as if a bite is mysteriously being taken out of the sun," Gleason said. He explained that maximum coverage of the sun will occur at 7:20 p.m., when 50 percent of the solar disc will be obscured. In Boulder, the sun will set behind the mountains at about 8 p.m., still partially eclipsed by the moon, he said.

Gleason warned that it is not safe for eclipse observers to attempt to view a partial solar eclipse with the naked eye, or through photographic negative film or virtually any other filter. The facilities at Fiske Planetarium and Sommers-Bausch Observatory are designed to allow the public to view this event safely in a variety of ways, including with specially filtered telescopes, pinhole projection viewers and official eclipse glasses, he said.

"Binoculars or telescopes that are not specifically designed and outfitted for viewing the sun can be dangerous," he said. "Permanent eye damage can easily result from improper viewing techniques."

After the eclipse, Fiske Planetarium will present a free star show about eclipses and upcoming celestial events. The observatory and planetarium will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Sommers-Bausch Observatory will be open Friday nights beginning at 9 p.m. during the summer for public use of its telescopes. Fiske Planetarium will host summer weekday matinees and Friday evening star and laser shows beginning in mid-June.

For more information visit http://cosmos.colorado.edu/sbo/ or http://www.colorado.edu/fiske or call (303) 492-5002.
posted by Pinecamguy at 10:54 AM

Woman, Child Shot In Florissant

On May 28th, at approximately 8:00pm, two shooting victims were discovered
behind the Florissant Post Office. Both victims were flown to Colorado
Springs hospitals.

The female victim, who has not been positively identified by authorities,
was flown to Penrose Main hospital, where she remains in serious and stable
condition in the intensive care unit. The 4 year old male victim was flown
to Memorial hospital whose condition is fair and stable.

The male suspect, identified as Mark A. Pruitt, (DOB 6/28/1965) went to the
residence located behind the Florissant Post Office where the female victim
was staying and engaged in a verbal confrontation with the female victim.
Witnesses report that the suspect then left the residence for a short time
and returned in a bronze-colored 2002 Dodge Neon. He pulled up in front of
the residence, walked up to the house with a shotgun, and fired three to
four shots into the house through a large plate glass window, striking the
two victims.

After firing the rounds, the suspect fled in the Neon traveling westbound on
Hwy 24 approximately 1 to 1.5 hours after the incident other witnesses
reported seeing the suspect vehicle traveling on a remote Park County
roadway, possibly traveling into Fremont County.

An Arrest Warrant for Mark A. Pruitt was issued in early morning hours on
May 29th. The suspect remains at large.
posted by Pinecamguy at 2:35 PM

TERMINATION OF ORDER

PIKE AND SAN ISABEL NATIONAL FORESTS
CIMARRON AND COMANCHE NATIONAL GRASSLANDS

Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(b), the prohibitions listed in closure order #02-06, entering or being in an area closed because of fire, specifically applicable to the South Platte District, Pike National Forest, which was signed by Barbara A Timock Acting Forest Supervisor, and dated May 22, 2002 is hereby terminated effective 12:00 PM, MDT on May 28, 2002.

The revised area closure order #02-06, entering or being in an area closed because of fire, applicable to the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Comanche and Cimarron National Grasslands, which was signed by Lynetta J Clark, Acting Forest Supervisor, and dated May 22, 2002 is hereby terminated effective 12:00 PM, MDT on May 28, 2002.

Date: May 28, 2002
posted by Pinecamguy at 10:59 AM

Fireworks Ban Urged

House Minority Leader Dan Grossman, D-Denver, has
backed a call urging Gov. Bill Owens to temporarily ban the private
use of fireworks, as the state endures one of the worst droughts in
years.

"There's just no margin for error when you've got residential
areas surrounded by dry brush and forests," Grossman said.

Last week, fire and law enforcement officials asked Owens to ban
the use and sale of fireworks statewide. The request would not
affect public displays.

Owens' staff has said the governor is researching whether he has
the authority to issue such a ban.

Grossman said the ban should run from mid-June to mid-July. Many
Colorado communities, including Denver, have already prohibited
private use of fireworks.

The state already has had several major wildfires that burned
thousands of acres this season, and precipitation is well below
average.
posted by Pinecamguy at 9:27 AM

WHAT IS A BEAR-PROOF TRASH CAN?

Summary: A bear-proof trash can will almost always prevent bears from
getting into garbage. When bear-proofing a home or business, realize
bear-proof isn't the same thing as bear-resistant. Bear-proof cans are
more solid and secure.

Article Text:

One of the most important things a home or business owner can do to avoid
bear problems is storing garbage where bears can’t get to it, and one of
the best ways to do this is by using a bear-proof container. When
bear-proofing a home or business, people should think like a hungry
300-pound bear, and realize that putting garbage in a simple metal can
with a rock on top isn’t going to work.

“Bear-proof containers are solid and secure,” said Pat Tucker, a Division
of Wildlife area manager in Glenwood Springs, which has seen major bear
problems in the past. “They accomplish what we’re trying to do – keep
bears out - almost 100 percent of the time.”

A bear-proof trash can usually has some sort of latching mechanism that
secures the lid to the can, and the can is usually made of metal instead
of plastic, making it more durable in case of a bear onslaught. Bears are
wily with a very good sense of smell, and will try anything to get a
snack.

“The other distinction we see is that there’s hardly any places that a
bear can claw into,” Tucker said. “Parts that open are much more tightly
fitting and secure. There isn’t a way for a bear to start prying into the
container.”

Some bear-proof cans are so advanced they even have an automatic closing
and locking mechanism.

A bear-resistant can, while it can help keep bears out, is not the same
thing as a bear-proof can. A bear-resistant can may just have plastic
clasp on it or a cable on top.

“The bear-resistant can is typically going to fail,” Tucker said. “They’
re usually just an intermediate step before someone gets a bear-proof can.
They are cheaper, and it’s better than nothing if someone’s worried about
the cost, if a bear-proof can is too big of a switch too soon, or if
someone thinks they have bears around that might not have learned yet that
there are good eats in the garbage can.”

“We don’t have problem with bear-resistant cans as long as people
understand that when they fail, they’ve got to take the next step,” said
Tucker.

The Colorado Wildlife Commission recently passed a regulation making it
illegal for people to intentionally leave trash or other bear attractants
where bears can get to them. A home or business owner can be fined $68
for each violation if they fail to remove the attractants after being
warned by the Division of Wildlife. Some towns have their own ordinances
concerning leaving trash out, and the DOW regulation is in addition to any
local ordinance.

Many companies make bear-proof or bear-resistant containers. Contact your
local trash hauler to find out where you can buy one, and which kind of
cans the trash company recommends.

If you can’t afford or don’t want to buy a bear-proof or bear-resistant
can, keeping bears out of your garbage still is easy. Secure garbage in a
locked storage shed or your garage, and set it outside on the day of
pickup only, not the night before. Regularly wash trash cans with bleach
or ammonia to remove food smells. Metal boxes such as those seen in
construction areas are another option for trash.

In your neighborhood, bear-proofing garbage and removing bear attractants
should be a group effort, Tucker said.

“You could be doing everything right as a homeowner, but if your neighbor
isn’t, you, your neighbor and the whole neighborhood will have bear
problems.”

While some people may find bear-proofing their home inconvenient, all
Coloradans share responsibility for living with bears.

“Once a bear learns how easy it is to knock over a trash can, it won’t
forget,” said Division of Wildlife Director Russell George. “The oft
repeated adage, ‘A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear,’ can too quickly prove all too
true.”

The Division will trap and relocate a problem bear once. Under its “two
strike” policy, if the bear causes a problem again, it is considered a
nuisance bear and will be destroyed. Keeping bears out of garbage in the
first place will help ensure the animal’s safety, as well as the safety of
people it may encounter. Bears are normally wary of people and rarely
attack them, but those bears that have attacked are those normally
accustomed to finding food around people.

Bears looking for food can also cause property damage.

“This year we’ve already received a call about a bear that was getting
food from someone, and that bear damaged a neighbor’s truck,” said Katie
Kinney, a Division area wildlife manager in Loveland. “It’s the typical
thing – a fed bear.”

If you’re camping or hiking, some state and national parks and forest
areas have bear-proof cans for refuse. But if there isn’t a bear-proof
can around, campers should secure their garbage in their car trunk or
suspended from a tree (10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from the
trunk) and pack it out with them.

Please see the Division of Wildlife news release “Avoiding Conflicts With
Bears” for more information.

Division of Wildlife http://wildlife.state.co.us

posted by Pinecamguy at 4:31 PM

COLORADO ALPINE LAKES SHOW TROUBLING CHANGES

A high alpine lake in the Colorado Rockies is showing increased algal growth thought to be caused by atmospheric nitrogen deposition from auto emissions and agricultural activity on the heavily populated Front Range, including Denver.

Diane McKnight of the University of Colorado at Boulder said the study showed that since about 1940, changes in Green Lake 4 associated with nitrogen enrichment and climatic changes have increased algal growth, the accumulation of organic sediment and shifts in the dominant algal species. McKnight and her associates have studied algal species distribution in water samples, a sediment trap and a small sediment core in the lake on a weekly to biweekly summer basis since 1998.

"Over the past 20 years, nitrogen deposition has increased in the Green Lakes Valley watershed and the lake ice cover has become progressively thinner," said McKnight, a fellow at CU's Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research. The five lakes in Green Lakes Valley - including Green Lake 4 at 11,500 feet, account for about 40 percent of Boulder's water supply.

"The city of Boulder owns the watershed and makes a substantial effort to protect the water quality of the lakes, including a ban on hikers," she said. "But there are no means for the city to protect the watershed from atmospheric inputs that can cause increased algal growth and potentially have some influence on water quality."

Similar trends have been observed in alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park about 20 miles to the north, McKnight said. The Green Lakes study is part of the National Science Foundation's Long-Term Ecological Research effort, which administers about 20 sites in North American ecosystems where researchers document ecological and climate changes over decades and centuries.

McKnight gave a paper on the subject at the Spring American Geophysical Union Meeting held in Washington, D.C., May 28 to May 31. Co-authors included CU graduate student Summer Waters, CU undergraduates Sean Sundermann and Meghann O'Brien, Alex Wolfe of the University of Alberta in Edmonton and Rolf Vinebrook of the University of Regina in Saskatchewan.

According to McKnight, the ice has become about 12 inches to 14 inches thinner in late March since 1982, possibly due to warming winter temperatures or more accumulation of snow on the frozen lake, insulating the ice.

One species of diatom -- algae that have microscopic shells made of silica -- has grown faster under higher nitrogen conditions and become more abundant in the lake than other diatom species in the past 60 years, she said. The increased algae growth causes more algal pigments like chlorophyll and fucoxanthin, as well as organic carbon from algae, to accumulate in the lake sediments.

"In addition to light, algae need two main nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus, to grow," she said. "We think the nitrogen deposition in Green Lake 4 stimulated the growth of algae on the lake bottom because there is a supply of phosphorus from the lake sediments."

On a regional scale, there are now proposed levels of maximum nitrogen deposition that may become part of air quality regulations, said McKnight. "These levels have been determined based on avoiding acidification of the water by nitrate in spring snowmelt."

The results of the study indicate that more algal growth in the lake can occur at lower nitrogen levels than those that could cause acidification, she said. They also suggest lower standards than those proposed may be needed to protect water quality in alpine lakes on the Front Range, many of which are sources of water for Front Range communities in Colorado.

Undergraduates O'Brien and Sundermann were supported by CU-Boulder's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, which allows undergraduates to receive stipends to work with faculty on research projects. They also were supported by the NSF's Research Experience for Undergraduates program.

posted by Pinecamguy at 12:13 PM

Schoonover Fire 100% Contained

The fire was fully contained Sunday evening.

A new estimate of the size of the fire is now only 3, 860 acres.

13 structures burned, including two summer homes. Five structures at the Shady Acres Camp were also lost.

All evacuation orders were lifted Sunday and all roads in the area have reopened.
posted by Pinecamguy at 6:41 AM

Schoonover Fire 80% Contained

There are 569 personnel working the fire today.

Total estimated cost for firefighting: $2.4 million

Small flames in heavy fuels, and smoldering are still being observed by firefighters. Crews are making good progress constructing a handline (permimeter) around the fire.

Total containment still estimated to be 6 p.m. this evening.

Click Here for the official USFS Schoonover Fire Site.

Several subdivisons and commercial facilities in Deckers remain evaucated.
posted by Pinecamguy at 7:43 AM