press release
Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010
City takes precautions in advance of high winds; urges residents to remain vigilant and prepare for possible evacuations
Forecasters are calling for wind gusts as high as 50 mph starting after about 6 p.m. today, Thursday, Sept. 9, and lasting into early morning hours. The City of Boulder is taking several measures to help protect residents and structures should these winds push the Fourmile Canyon wildfire into the city limits.
City officials are working with employees from fire, police, Open Space and Mountain Parks, public works and Parks and Recreation to put mitigation, evacuation and other emergency plans in effect. Some specific efforts include mowing grass along the western edge of the city to reduce fuel around residential areas, planning for possible evacuations and sharing information with our community.
“We are certainly hoping for the best, but as a city, we are doing the very things we would urge residents to do – staying vigilant and planning for the worst,” said City Manager Jane S. Brautigam. “While city neighborhoods have been spared a direct impact so far, this remains a volatile situation. There are concerns about the fire’s path becoming less predictable and the possibility of spot fires from embers.”
Residents who live west of Broadway are specifically encouraged to take the following actions:
· Clear out lawns and western areas, removing all combustibles, including firewood, lawn furniture, play equipment, grills and propane tanks.
· Do not put propane tanks inside garages. Move them to the east side of your home in a highly visible location.
· Mow tall grass and remove extra brush from the west side of your home.
· Make certain that all windows on the west side of your home are closed and keep all interior doors closed. Keep your porch light and all exterior lights on.
· Make sure you have gas in your car and park your vehicle pointed in the direction of the road.
· Prepare your take-away kit with important documents, photos, medications and other significant items and put it in your car.
· Consider making shelter arrangements with friends and family members, if possible, for you and your pets.
Brautigam, Fire Chief Larry Donner, Police Chief Mark Beckner and other city officials have been in continual communication with county, state and federal authorities, monitoring the fire and its possible impacts on the City of Boulder. The city has also provided significant resources to the firefighting, communication and evacuee support efforts.
“We are incredibly grateful for all of the work firefighters from near and far have done since Monday, and we are committed to continuing to help in all ways that we can,” Brautigam said. “We hope for good news soon, but we want our residents to know that the danger has not yet passed. This is an ideal time for families to develop a plan that could be implemented on a moment’s notice.”
The fire department website includes a great deal of information about wildfires, including specific tips on preparing for possible evacuations. This site can be accessed at: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2408&Itemid=779.
The city also encourages all residents to monitor local news reports and check for up-to-date official information at http://www.boulderoem.com. If you have not already done so, sign up for emergency text alerts at http://www.boco911alert.com.
If a request to evacuate becomes necessary, residents are urged to do so immediately to help save lives and give firefighters the ability to bring in necessary equipment and crews to protect properties.
“If we reach an emergency situation, we will do everything we can to respond,” Brautigam said. “We will need full cooperation from residents. I know we can count on that from our community.”
CITY SPOKES PERSON SARAH HUNTLY “told Boulder Channel 1 News that if the fire jumps the line from northern limits of the city down to the middle of the city people should be prepared to evacuate. This fire can be very unpredictable ” we don’t want people to panic but we do want anyone west of Broadway to be prepared to Evacuate! the city also asked boulder channel 1 to spread the word to be a voice for information flow. The city is preparing all of it’s facilities for evacuation.
In the event of a catastrophic event such as fire breaking into the city boulder channel 1 will go live from Downtown boulder
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