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Friday, July 19Candle Fires Are A Real Problem In Boulder, Apparently...Next Week, Candle Safety Classes Boulder Fire Department responds to candle fire at residence Boulder firefighters extinguished an apartment fire in the 2300 block of 14th Street today, caused by a candle left burning unattended. The candle had been burning on a windowsill, after the occupant left her garden-level apartment. The flame from the candle melted the plastic blinds in the window, causing a large amount of smoke. Passersby saw the smoke and reported the fire at 2:35 p.m. The smoke alarm inside the apartment also sounded, although no one was inside the apartment at the time. The fire was contained to the living room/kitchen area. Upon arrival, firefighters saw smoke coming from the window. The fire was extinguished within five minutes of their arrival. 2324 14th St., where the fire occurred, is a house remodeled into several apartments. There were no injuries. Damage is estimated at $500. Fire Safety Educator Sherry Kenyon said, "Candles cause too many fires in Boulder." She advised, "Always double-check your candles! Make sure you have not left a candle burning before you leave a room. Candles are deceptive because people don't think of them as a fire." The Fire Department begins an education campaign regarding candle safety next week targeted to property owners and managers for their tenants. --Actual Boulder Press Release Sent Out Friday AFternoon -- Big Elk Fire UpdateLarimer County Release 4:55 p.m. Friday, July 19 Still no update unfortunately on acreage on Big Elk. We are trying to deduce the size of the fire but hesitate to put out a figure for the public until something can be confirmed. Clearly the fire has been active today and has grown beyond the 1,200 acre figure which was given out yesterday evening. We do know that it has reached south to the final ridge immediately north of Big Elk Meadows and indications are (to the extent that the heavy smoke will allow observation) that the fire has gone northwest possibly to, or nearly to, the Lion Gulch drainage. It is still believed to be east of the rock formation, Lion Head. This still has yet to be confirmed by the USFS management team. This is a very smokey fire and mapping has been a problem. With regard to the fire in Boulder County, it was near Boulder and very small. The fire has been put out. We had an additional start at or near Aspen Lodge along Hwy. 7 approximately 7 miles south of Estes Park. That fire was immediately attacked and controlled. An investigation into it's cause has been undertaken. Pinewood Springs residents should note that evacuation plans have been put into place for that community should the fire jump Co. Rd. 47 in any significant degree. That, and other circumstances will be considered should it be decided to activate our Emergency Phone Notification procedures and request residents to leave the area. An evacuation destination/shelter will be established either in Lyons or Longmont. As a reminder, if you have blocking mechanisms to prevent solicitations, the "reverse 911" will not reach you. Consider dispensing with this feature until the danger passes. Press *78 and follow the prompts or contact your phone service provider. We hope that a more realistic acreage estimation will be available to you and will publish it as soon as possible. It has been noted with alarm by Estes Park residents that ash is falling in the Estes Valley. These are not burning fire brands that will cause spot fires that far away. Please recall that harmless ash fell in Ft. Collins from the Hayman fire and that was 75 miles away. Spotting in the immediate vicinity of the Big Elk Fire however remains a concern. Once more - we will update this site when we get additional substantive information. In the meantime, please call the USFS info lines at 498-1030 or 1031. -- Slide Show Of Air Tanker CrashThe Channel 4 Web site has a slide show of the plane as it went down. WARNING: Do not view if you are easily disturbed. NEWS4Colorado.Web Site NOTE: The station apparently pulled the slide show from its Web site Friday afternoon for unknown reasons.
-- Thursday, July 18Airtanker Crashes Fighting Big Elk Fire Wayne Harrison and Kim Ngan Nguyen, Staff Writers Updated: 7:33 p.m. MDT July 18, 2002 PINEWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. -- One of the three air tankers that was battling the Big Elk Fire has crashed. The plane (pictured, left) went down about 6:30 p.m. near the Lyon Gulch trailhead, close to Highway 36, north of Lyons and north of the fire, 7NEWS reported. According to eyewitnesses at the scene, both of the wings on the plane folded up and broke off and then the fuselage broke in half and crashed into the ground. The Denver Channel - More Details -- -- Pike National Forest To Re-OpenUnburned areas of the Pike National Forest are reopening Friday morning, more than a month after the 1-million-acre forest was closed because of the Hayman fire. "That's awesome," said Luke Bever of fishing outfitter Blue Quill Angler in Evergreen. "We take half our clients to the South Platte. That's our bread and butter for sure." Surrounding Bureau of Land Management land in Park, Teller, El Paso, Douglas and Jefferson counties also is reopening. The forest and BLM land will officially reopen at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Open fires are still prohibited. The 138,000-acre Hayman burn area remains closed out of concern for flash flooding. But hiking, biking, picnicking and camping in the rest of the forest are allowed unless posted as closed, said Terry McCann, U.S. Forest Service spokesman. River corridors along the north and south forks of the South Platte River will be open for day use only from sunrise to sunset, as in the past, said McCann. Camping areas along the river will be closed, but camping areas in unburned areas will be open. "The public has shown outstanding patience and compliance to the closure," said Roy Masinton, a BLM manager, in a written statement. "We understand the inconvenience and economic hardship that it caused and hope that with easing the fire restrictions, our public will continue to be vigilant with fire safety." Some fee campgrounds and picnic areas may not be open immediately as concessionaires rehire employees and check water supplies. The national reservation system for fee campsites in the Pike also remains closed. Camping is on a first-come, first-served basis. Prohibited in the forest are camp fires and charcoal grills; smoking; fireworks and other explosives; welding or use of a torch with an open flame; chain saws, except between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m; and entering burned or other restricted areas. Petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns and heating devices are allowed. People living in the forest are concerned about the reopening. But McCann said, "While fire danger remains very high, the extreme fire conditions that existed last month have lessened. Humidity has increased, and spot rain showers and less severe wind conditions have made conditions somewhat more favorable." ___= On the Net: What is allowed? Hiking, biking, picnicking, travel on roads and trails, and other recreational uses of the forest and BLM lands are reinstated unless specifically prohibited; All other camping areas in unburned areas of the forest will be open for use unless specifically indicated as closed or restricted. Fee area campgrounds will be on a first-come, first-served basis. However, some fee areas of the forest may not be open immediately while concessionaires complete necessary tasks to re-open each specific facility. Further, the reservation system for Pike National Forest facilities, which was suspended in conjunction with the forest’s closure, remains suspended for the time-being. While fire in the forest is prohibited, individuals are permitted to use petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices providing such devices meet the underwriter’s specifications for safety; Thru-travel on county, state and municipal roadways is permitted, though access to abutting closed forest areas is prohibited. Persons who reside in the restricted area continue to be allowed to travel to their residences. Those individuals with permits specifically authorizing special needs access to the restricted areas or to perform acts normally prohibited by the fire restriction order are also exempt from those provisions of the orders; Operation of a chainsaw in Pike National Forest is allowed between the hours of 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. For BLM restrictions which differ, check with BLM at 719-269-8500. What is prohibited? The combined orders prohibit: Going into or being on burned areas or in other areas designated as being restricted as a result of impacts of the Hayman or other fires; Smoking in the Pike National Forest, except within an enclosed vehicle or building. For BLM smoking restrictions, contact 719-269-8500; Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame; Operation of a chainsaw in Pike National Forest is prohibited between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following day. For BLM restrictions which differ, contact 719-269-8500 -- Wednesday, July 17--  Wildfire Breaks Out Near Pinewood SpringsFire now estimated at 200-300 acres between Estes Park and Lyons. The Denver Channel Story -- OWENS SIGNS BILL TOUGHENING WILDFIRE LAWS; SAYS COLORADO "WILL NOT TOLERATE RECKLESSNESS"(MONTROSE) - Governor Bill Owens today signed into law legislation toughening the penalties for violating fire bans and setting wildfires. House Bill 1006, sponsored by Rep. Kay Alexander and Sen Norma Anderson, was passed during last week's special session of the state legislature. "We are sending a clear message that Coloradans will not tolerate reckless behavior when the fire danger is extreme," Owens said. The Governor signed the bill in Montrose during a community meeting Wednesday morning. The bill increases the penalty for violating a fire ban from a petty offense to a class 2 misdemeanor with a mandatory fine of $250 to $1,000 and up to 12 months in jail. The bill also creates a new crime for intentionally setting a wildfire that threatens life or property, making it a class 3 felony. In addition, the bill increases the penalty for "recklessly" starting a wildfire during a fire ban to a class 6 felony. -- IRS ANNOUNCES RELIEF FOR VICTIMS OF COLORADO WILDFIRESDENVER - The Internal Revenue Service announced special tax relief for Colorado residents affected by the wildfires that began April 23, 2002. For the purposes of this tax relief, affected taxpayers include individuals and businesses located in one of the 32 zip codes listed below, and those whose tax records are located there. Relief workers, firefighters and taxpayers outside these 32 zip codes who are significantly impacted by the fires also qualify for this relief. When filing amended tax returns or taking advantage of the additional time to file, taxpayers should mark their tax returns in red ink with "Disaster Relief - Colorado Fires" at the top of their tax forms. Tax relief includes giving affected taxpayers the option of claiming disaster-related casualty losses on either their 2001 or 2002 federal income tax returns. Individuals may deduct personal property losses that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements, but must first subtract $100 for each casualty and then subtract ten percent of their adjusted gross income from their total casualty losses for the year. For more details, see IRS Publication 547, "Casualties, Disasters and Thefts." In addition, affected taxpayers are granted the following relief: Ø Affected taxpayers with tax returns originally due between April 23 and October 15, 2002, will have until October 15, 2002, to file without penalty. They may obtain additional time to file, not to exceed six months from the original due date, by filing an extension request by October 15, 2002. Ø Affected taxpayers who requested an extension of time to file their 2001 individual income tax return to August 15, 2002, will have until October 15, 2002, to file without making an additional request. Fiscal year corporations that have obtained an automatic six-month extension of time to file with the extended due date falling between April 23 and October 15, 2002, will not be eligible for any further extensions under section 6081 of the Internal Revenue Code. Ø The time for making deposits of employment and excise taxes is not extended. However, the IRS will consider requests for abatement of the failure to deposit penalty based on reasonable cause for deposits due between April 23, 2002, and October 15, 2002, on a case-by-case basis. Ø Affected taxpayers will not owe interest or failure to pay penalties for overdue amounts from April 23, 2002 to October 15, 2002. Ø Automatic extensions do not apply to Form 5500 series returns (certain pension returns) or to information returns. Taxpayers who need copies of previously filed tax returns in order to apply for benefits or to file amended returns claiming casualty losses can have their requests expedited and will not be charged the usual photocopying fees. They should complete Form 4506, "Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Form," label the top margin of the form, "Disaster Relief -- Colorado Fires," and submit it to the IRS. Affected taxpayers in the disaster area can get tax information at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sites. For locations and hours, contact FEMA at 800-621-3362; this line is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hearing- or speech-impaired taxpayers can call 800-462-7585. General IRS help is available at 800-829-1040. IRS forms and publications can be ordered by calling 800-TAX-FORM or downloaded from the IRS web site at www.irs.gov. 32 Colorado ZIP Codes with Significant Impact from Fires (Taxpayers Granted Automatic Relief) County Name ZIP Codes Douglas 80135 El Paso 80819, 80809 Garfield 81601, 81602, 81647 Gunnison 81230, 81231 Jefferson 80425, 80433, 80470 La Plata 81301, 81302, 81326, 81329 Las Animas 81091, 81082 Mesa 81523 Park 80820, 80827 Pitkin 81623 Rio Blanco 81641 Rio Grande 81132, 81137, 81154 San Miguel 81423 Saguache 81125 Teller 80814, 80816, 80863 -- Hayman Fire UpdateStatus: 137,760 acres Percent contained: 100% Containment Date: July 2 Structures Lost: 600 (133 residences) Personnel: 327 personnel, including 7 20-person firefighting crews. Aircraft: 4 helicopters (I Type-1; 1 Type-2; and Type-3) Other Resources: 2 engines, 4 water tenders, 1 evacuator, and a skidster Mop-up continues on the perimeter within the Lost Creek Wilderness. Most divisions will have aerial reconnaissance today, 1,066 acres of burned area rehabilitation has been completed. Efforts continue with burned area rehabilitation, with focus on ground-based scarification and seeding. Because soils in fire-scarred areas lack vegetation to help prevent erosion, fire crews and local residents need to remain on heightened alert for dangerous conditions. Some evacuations may be necessary in flood-prone areas. Until there is a significant duration of rain, residents may see smoke and fire as unburned islands of fuel continue to burnout within the fire area. Firefighters will continue monitoring the area. -- Antero Reservoir To Be Drained?Antero Reservoir could be the next victim of the state's continuing drought. Officials said it could be drained to move water to Cheesman Reservoir hit by the Hayman Fire. The Denver Channel - State's Best Fishing Spot Could Be Drained -- Monday, July 15Forest closes trails and campground due to firesGLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (July 15, 2002) - Due to recent fires on the White River National Forest, Forest Supervisor Martha Ketelle issued two new orders closing trails and a campground. The Lost Creek fire, 40 miles southwest of Steamboat, has resulted in the following trail closures: East Williams Trail, #1119 Baldy Mountain Trail # 1200 Black Mountain Trail #1117 West Fork Trail #1116 Transfer Trail #1173 Picket Pin Trail, including the Lily Pond Loop, #1811 Ripple Creek Trail #1803 The decision to close these trails was made jointly with the Routt National Forest. The fire is burning in the Flattop Wilderness Area that is on both the Routt and White River National Forests. Extreme fire behavior and rapid rates of spread are present. The Forest Service is working with outfitters to remove camps in the Flattop Wilderness Area. Meanwhile, east of the Spring Creek fire, a new fire known as the East Meadow Creek fire has resulted in closing of the Meadow Lake campground. People visiting public lands in Colorado are encouraged to check current fire conditions. "The website is becoming our best tool to provide updated information," noted spokesperson Sue Froeschle. "All federal agencies are posting information to the website wildfires.nwcg.gov." -30- -- ATTORNEY GENERAL TAKES ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST 23 MORE TELEMARKETING COMPANIES Denver-Attorney General Ken Salazar released information today on his office's continuing enforcement of the Colorado No-Call law. The new law became effective July 1. "While most businesses are doing their best to comply with the new law, unsolicited calls and faxes are still being made to consumers who placed their numbers on the No-Call list. In response, my office has now issued a total of 30 cease-and-desist notices since July 1, to 21 out-of-state businesses and 9 Colorado businesses," Attorney General Salazar said. A listing of the 23 telemarketer entities receiving cease-and-desist notices last week is attached. The cease-and-desist notices advise each of the businesses that several complaints were made by Colorado residents against them for making calls or faxes in possible violation of the No-Call law. Attorney General Salazar's consumer protection office continues to review the complaints to determine which companies may be engaged in a pattern of violations to warrant State enforcement actions. A total of 3153 consumer complaints were received by the No-Call program through July 12. The most complained about telemarketers have been those soliciting the sale of the following goods and services: 1) Consumer loans-686 complaints 2) Travel/timeshares-170 complaints 3) Home improvement-167 complaints 4) Credit card/credit card protection-165 complaints 5) Insurance-95 complaints 6) Bank services-88 complaints 7) Magazines/publications-81 complaints 8) Securities/investments-62 complaints The vast majority of non-compliant businesses contacted by the Attorney General's office have indicated an intent to comply immediately with the new No-Call law. Lack of information about the law and technical difficulties in conforming their telephone calling lists with the official No-Call list are often cited as the reasons for non-compliance. There are 707,202 numbers registered on the first quarterly No-Call list. An additional 112,100 telephone numbers have been registered since June 1. The No-Call law restrictions will not apply to the new registrants and any additional registration until November 1. According to the Public Utilities Commission, there are approximately 2 million residential telephone numbers in Colorado. There are now 1224 commercial telemarketing entities registered with the PUC vendor, e-InfoData.com, Inc. Under the No-Call law, a state enforcement action may be brought against commercial telemarketers for three or more violations in a month. Citizens may, however, bring private lawsuits in small claims court for single violations of the law. Consumers may recover a minimum of $500 for a violation. Consumers may file complaints about possible violations of the No-Call law by either calling toll free 1-888-600-5688, 1-888-249-9097 or by going on-line at www.coloradonocall.com. Consumers are urged to try to record the date and time of any alleged unlawful calls, the business name, address, and telephone number, and type of goods or services offered for complaint purposes in order to properly pursue private enforcement actions or enable state enforcement actions. ###30### -- |
