Lower North Fork Fire Final Update: 4/2/12 1720:

This will be the last Lower North Fork Fire update.

We will no longer be providing updates about the Lower North Fork Fire via this blog.

The purpose of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Emergency blog is to provide updates regarding an incident during its emergency and immediate response stages. The fire is now 100% contained and all evacuation orders have been lifted. With these announcements there is no need for the frequent updates provided by this blog.

We recognize that while the emergency and immediate response stages have passed the recovery stage is just beginning. Please visit http://www.jeffco.us/ to learn more about Jefferson County's ongoing recovery efforts.

The Mountain Resource Center will also continue to function as a resource center (see prior blog post).

The use of social media during an active emergency situation is an ongoing learning effort. We would love to hear back from the community about our use of this blog and our twitter account (@jeffcosheriffco). Please write your comments about our use of social media to jeffcosheriff@gmail.com.

During an emergency do not contact Jefferson County Sheriff's Office via social media. Always call 911 in an emergency and 303-271-0211 in a non-emergency.

Lower North Fork Fire Update: 4/2/12 1700:

The Lower North Fork Fire is now 100% contained!

Thank You Message from the Type 1 IMT

Click on link to see a message from the Type 1 Incident Management Team from the Great Basin:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_3vHjXvTmbCaklaSFZRSVdSaHVLNEhSSmxoYzRsdw

Additional Resources from Jeffco Public Health

Jefferson County Public Health has provided the following three resources. Residents moving back into the area affected by the Lower North Fork Fire are encouraged to read this information.

General information regarding moving back into an area affected by wildfire:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_3vHjXvTmbCdThoeGltZTRUNktocElqVURzR2YzZw/edit

Food Safety:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_3vHjXvTmbCbmhjT3pBd0NUbDZNZXk1Wm1TcERvQQ/edit

Information about safety around properties damaged by wildfires:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_3vHjXvTmbCSEw4YVZfTVNSLWFMZDhHdGtjcHN4dw/edit

Resources Available at the Mountain Resource Center:

On Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM the Mountain Resource Center (MRC) will be open to provide further assistance to those affected by the Lower North Fork Fire.

The Disaster Recovery Center that has been operating at West Jefferson Middle School will be closing at 7:00 PM this evening.

The Mountain Resource Center will be open M-F from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Those affected by the fire who need further assistance can come to this location. The MRC can also be reached at 303-838-7552 or via info@mrcco.org.

The address for the MRC is 11030 Kitty Drive, Conifer, CO 80433.

Hazardous Waste Material Disposal

Residents living in the area affected by the Lower North Fork Fire are advised not to remove any of the fire damaged debris from their property. A plan is being put into place to facilitate the removal of those debris.

Fire damaged debris must be discarded in accordance with appropriate hazardous material guidelines. Information will be dissiminated to affected property owners soon.

No Citizen Briefings Scheduled for 4/2/12

There are no citizen briefings scheduled for 4/2/12. Should a briefing be necessary we will send out a notification via this website and via our twitter account (@jeffcosheriffco).

Safety Precautions for Re-Entry and Clean Up after Fire

Here is a very informative flier provided by the Jefferson County Public Health and the Incident Management Team Safety Officer. This is a must read for anyone moving back into the areas affected by the Lower North Fork Fire.

You can view the flier here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_3vHjXvTmbCbko2NFc0NWpSa1NZWTdrVVB5M0JvZw/edit
Copy and paste link into your browser if the website link is note clickable.

No Media Briefing Scheduled for Monday, 4/2/12:

There are no media briefings scheduled for Monday, 4/2/12. Should a briefing be necessary a notification will be sent via this website and via twitter, @jeffcosheriffco.

No Media Tours of Kuehster Road

There will be no media tours of Kuehster Road today.

Kuehster Road remains open only to residents of the area.

Kuehster Road is closed to the media and general public in order to promote continued safety and privacy as residents move back in the area. Protecting the privacy of the home owners along Kuehster Road is a top priority.

Jefferson County Public Health Message:

Residents of areas affected by the Lower North Fork Fire region are encouraged to contact Jefferson County Public Health with questions regarding personal protection and health concerns. Anyone seeking health information associated with moving back into the fire area should call 303-271-5700.

You can also find more information by visiting the Jeffco Public Health wildfire page at: http://jeffco.us/health/health_T111_R298.htm

Lower North Fork Fire Update: 4/2/12 0945:

At approximately 9:30 AM the Intermountain Rural Electric Association along with insurance adjusters and the Red Cross will be given access into the Lower North Fork Fire region. The representatives of these agencies are being escorted by members of the Incident Management Team. This is part of the continued effort to assess damages and prepare plans to restore services to all areas affected by the fire.

Updated Map of Lower North Fork Fire Area: 4/2/12 at 0800:

View Lower North Fork Wildfire in a larger map

Weather Forecast from the National Weather Service

National Weather Service Forecast for the Lower North Fork Fire Area (Specifically for Conifer)

Today: wind between 15 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tonight: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Blustery, with a north northeast wind between 15 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Tuesday: Snow likely before noon, then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a north wind between 12 and 15 mph becoming calm. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. East wind at 9 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 16 mph.

Also available at:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Conifer&state=CO&site=BOU&textField1=39.52&textField2=-105.3&e=0

Lower North Fork Fire Safety Message

All residents planning to move back into the Lower North Fork Fire affected area should read the following Safety Message. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_3vHjXvTmbCeURvWlY5LWJRbE9VeEIzd2hVYTludw/edit

All Evacuation Orders Lifted Tomorrow (4/2/12) at 8:00 AM

Jefferson County Sheriff Ted Mink and Incident Commander Rich Harvey have announced that, effective at 8:00 AM Monday morning (4/2/12), all evacuation orders will be lifted.

All of the pre-evacuation notices that have been issued will also be lifted tomorrow at 8:00 AM.

All residents will be allowed to go home starting at 8:00 AM. All roads, with the exception of Kuehster Road, will be open to the public. Kuehster Road will remain open only to residents until further notice.

Containment around the Lower North Fork Fire is now at 97%.

Residents should continue to exercise personal responsibility and discretion as they move back into the area. Please read the following document to educate yourself about the various risks associated with moving back into an area affected by wildfire. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_3vHjXvTmbCeURvWlY5LWJRbE9VeEIzd2hVYTludw/edit

Citizen Briefing at 5PM at West Jefferson Middle School

Jefferson County Sheriff, Ted Mink, & Incident Comander, Rich Harvey, will be at the 5:00 PM citizen briefing at West Jefferson Middle School.

Want to Support Wildland Fire Fighters? Here is How You Can!

To those who have asked how they can support the firefighters who have worked on the Lower North Fork Fire:

All year long crews of highly trained firefighters travel all over the country to fight fires that threaten communities of which they are not even a part. The fight against wildfire usually begins with local resources. When a fire grows as the Lower North Fork Fire did, the call goes out to other resources from out of the immediate area.

All of these men and women put their lives on the line and sometimes incur injuries or even die in the line of duty.

There is an organization which serves the wildland firefighting community and their families in times of tragedy. A donation to the Wildland Firefighters Foundation will provide direct assistance to firefighters and their families when they need it most.

Go to their website: http://www.wffoundation.org/ to learn more about the organization and ways you can help.

Pictures from the Lower North Fork Fire:

These pictures were taken on the evening of March 26th, 2012

Photos taken by Tim Schlung

Message from Jefferson County Animal Response Team

The Jefferson County Animal Response Team (J-CART)has worked hard during the duration of the Lower North Fork Fire. J-CART has provided services for 351 animals.

The livestock shelter at the Fairgrounds now has a phone that will be staffed as much as possible between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM every day until all animals are picked up. The number is 303.279.7303.

The Fairgrounds has the National High School Rodeo at the facility next weekend and will need every stall we are now occupying. We hope to have all the livestock returned to the owners by mid week if at all possible

Here are the groups (all part of J-CART) who helped out this last week:
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Jefferson County Horse Council Emergency Evacuation Team
Jefferson County Fairgrounds Staff
Foothills Animal Shelter and Staff
Evergreen Animal Protective League
Jefferson County Mounted Search and Rescue
Front Range Animal Evacuation Team
Animal Evacuation Volunteers
Gilpin County Animal Response Team
Jeffco HEAT (Horse Evacuation and Assistance Team)
Colorado Livestock Inspectors
Animal Emergency Management Program of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Section

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Here is a flyer that gives contact information on all the volunteer groups that are part of J-CART: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_3vHjXvTmbCbkJWdFpjYWxRemF3dzNGNmh2bHdJZw/edit

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The following are statistics available from animal rescue and support efforts.
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Jefferson County Fairgrounds Livestock Shelter – run by Jefferson County Horse Council Emergency Evacuation Team (JCHC EET)

245 total animals – 140 horses, 2 cows, 39 alpaca, 16 goats, 41 llama, 3 donkeys, 1 dog, 1 mule, 2 yak
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Red Cross Evacuation Sites (Conifer HS, West Jeff Middle School)
Temporary Pet Shelter – run by Evergreen Animal Protective League

41 animals taken in and cared for (unknown on the breakdown just yet)
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Foothills Animal Shelter
No cost temporary sheltering for evacuated pet owners

65 total animals – 21 chickens, 5 geese, 4 salamanders, 9 koi, 12 cats, 13 dogs
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A volunteer group at the Fairgrounds and the Colorado Horsecare Foodbank are working to help displaced horse and livestock owners find hay and supplies and locations to temporarily board (for time frames beyond the middle of this week) their animals until they can be returned home. See the following flyer for more information:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_3vHjXvTmbCbW9TVTFBTnlSLVdwVWlrWkgyOUgzZw/edit

Updated Lower North Fork Fire Map

View Lower North Fork Wildfire in a larger map

Updated Lower North Fork Fire Map Showing Road Status: 4/1/12

Here are updated maps showing the revised evacuation area.

The road status on these maps is accurate as of this morning.

The fire perimeter and containment line data is accurate as of 3/31/12 at 4:00 PM.

Lower North Fork Fire Update: 4/1/12 0930:

Containment for the Lower North Fork Fire remains at 90%.

Homes located south of the intersection of Pleasant Park Road and Keuhster Road remain under the existing evacuation order.

As of 7:00 PM on Saturday (3/31/12) residents in the existing evacuation areas, to include Maxwell Hill and Critchell Road, were allowed to return to their homes.

The Red Flag Warning was issued by the National Weather Service yesterday from 1200 noon to 8:00 PM. The NWS has has issued the same Red Flag Warning today, to go into effect from 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM.

Due to the Red Flag Warning residents moving back into the repopulated area should remember to remain vigilant and prepared to leave should conditions change.

Lower North Fork Fire Horse Update 4/01/12 0925

Horse claim information

If Jefferson County Animal Control is still housing your horse, you may claim it during daylight hours at the Jeffco Animal Shelter. Please be prepared to present proof of ownership or some form or identification, such as a driver's license, with your address on it. If you have further questions, please call Jeffco Animal Control at 303-271-5071.

Citizen and Media Briefings for Sunday 4/01/12:

Citizen and Media Briefings for Sunday 4/01/12:
There are no media briefings scheduled for Sunday April, 1st, 2012 at Conifer High School. Should a briefing be necessary we will notify the media of the briefing time via this website and via our Twitter account (@jeffcosheriffco).

There will be a citizen briefing at the West Jefferson Middle School at 5:00 PM. There will not be any briefing at 9:00 AM or 1:00 PM.