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