How to Sign up to Receive Emergency Notification

To register your phone to receive Emergency notifications updates visit: http://jeffco.us/sheriff/code-red-emergency-notifications/

UPDATE:
The number that was posted referring people to set up the CodeRED alerts has been removed due to the fact that the system was being overloaded. We are asked to now refer people to http://your911.net.

Also: If the address of your phone is not in Broomfield or Jefferson Counties, you will not be able to register.

Updated Map: 3/27/12 at 1400

The area inside the bold blue line is the original evacuation area. This does not include the 6,500 homes that received the recent pre-evacuation notice. If those homes do recieve a mandatory evacuation order we will update the map accordingly.


View Larger Map

Road Closure Update Regarding S. Foxton Rd: 2/27/12 at 1330

There is no access to Pleasant Park Road from Foxton Road.

Traffic can access S. Foxton Rd from Highway 285 in order to reach the Red Cloud Subdivision.

S. Foxton Road is closed at the Running Deer Road intersection south to Platte River Road.

Lower North Fork Fire Update: 3/27/12 at 1325

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Dispatch has sent out a pre-evacuation notice to 6,500 homes located in regions north of the existing evacuation area.

These areas include the following areas:
Dear Creek Mesa
Deer Creek Canyon Park
Homewood Park
Hilldale Pines
South Murphy Gulch Road
Watson Gulch Road
South East of S. Turkey Creek Rd
White Deer Valley
Jennings Road

UPDATE: The pre-evacuation order sent to the additional 6500 homes was not due to the spot fire located 1 mile north of Waterton Canyon. That spot fire did in fact flare up but the primary reason the homes were sent the pre-evacuation notice was the fact that current weather conditions have caused the fire to act in an erratic manner which may threaten those 6500 homes.

Also: Next media briefing is scheduled for 4:00 PM located at the Elk Creek Fire Station 1.

Photos From Lower North Fork Fire

Pictures taken on 3/26/12 at approximately 4:00 PM

Lower North Fork Fire Update 3/27/2012 1230

A Public Information Officer is stationed at the Staples Shopping Center parking lot located at 10853 US Highway 285. He will provide information on the Lower North Fork Fire to anyone with questions.

Lower North Fork Fire Update 3/27/2012 1159

Air support has started to arrive with a Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) and a heavy P2V airplane dropping fire retardant over the Lower North Fork Fire Zone. Two National Guard helicopters are enroute from Buckley Air Force Base to start dropping water.

Major Road closures are as follows:

Foxton Road & Running Deer Road
Pleasant Park Road & Oehlmann Park Road
Deer Creek Canyon Road & Maxwell Hill
South Platte River Road to Foxton Road

Please be aware that law enforcement personnel may close additional roads as needed.

Lower North Fork Fire Update 3/27/12 1140

The Chatfield High School shelter is closed; if you need a shelter go to Conifer High School.

Direct all questions regarding animal rescue and sheltering to Animal Control at 303-271-4923; do not call Jeffco Dispatch.

Lower North Fork Fire Update 3/27/12 1115

Second Fatality Confirmed Within the Fire Zone

A second fatality has been discovered within the fire zone near the location of the first. Both fatalities are being investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

The fire has grown to 4,500 acres. Sixteen structures have burned thus far; that number is subject to change. The Type 1 Incident Management Team from the Great Basin Area of Montana is expected to arrive this evening to assist in the management of the incident.

Colorado Lt. Governor Garcia is expected to visit the fire zone today.

The next press briefing will occur at 4:00 PM at Elk Creek Fire Statoin #1.

Continue to follow this blog site as well as @JeffcoSheriffCo on Twitter for more updates.

Animal Shelter Update

Jeffco Fairgrounds is currently housing 69 horses, 30 Alpacas and Llamas and 2 cows. In addition, 22 small animals were sheltered over night at Conifer High School.

Lower North Fork Fire Update 3/27/2012 0920

The Lower North Fork Fire is at 0% containment with no controlled fire line. However, current fire fighting strategy has changed from point protection to active fire suppression.

Grass, shrubs and “duff” are fueling the fire along with Ponderosa Pine Trees. The Ponderosa Pines will typically burn hot and continuous until they are nothing more than white ash. Heavy tree canopies combined with high temperatures and a lack of humidity are contributing to the volatile conditions as well.

Hot Shot Fire Crews are on the way from Utah, Arizona and South Dakota; upon arrival they will be immediately deployed to the fire zone.

Lower North Fork Fire Update 3/27/12 0915

Be advised that the Chatfield High School evacuation point has been shut down. Primary evacuation point remains Conifer High School.

Video from Lower North Fork Fire

This video was taken in the afternoon on 3/26/12.

Lower North Fork Fire Perimeter as of 3/26/12 @ 2300

View Lower North Fork Wildfire in a larger map

Lower North Fork Fire Update 3/27/11 0715

A media briefing was held at 0630. The following information was shared

25 people sheltered overnight at the Conifer High School Evacuation Point.

The fire is estimated to be over 3050 acres

Over 450 firefighters are expected to be working the fire by the end of the day.

A Lead Plane has been ordered from Ogden, Utah

A Heavy Tanker and a Heavy Heli-Tanker has been ordered. Deployment of air support is dependent on weather conditions.

The confirmed fatality is not an emergency response member but likely a resident or visitor to the area.

PIOs have been dispatched to the Conifer High School Evacuation Point. They will conduct a citizen briefing at approximately 0745 hours.

Somewhere between 15-25 structures and/or outbuildings have been lost due to the fire.

We are working to provide an up to date evacuation and fire area map. The release of this data has been delayed due to our desire to only share verified data.

Lower North Fork Fire Update 3/27/11 0615

A Media Briefing is scheduled for 0630. Command and General Staff meetings will be taking place at 0700. We will continue to use this blog to post pertinent information as it comes available. You can also follow the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on Twitter by following @JeffcoSheriffCo. We are posting updates to the #LowerNorthForkFire hashtag. Thank you to all for remaining diligent and safe during this effort.

Lower North Fork Fire Update

ONE FATALITY CONFIRMED WITHIN THE FIREZONE

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed one fatality within the Lower North Fork Fire zone. The fatality is being investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

The fire is predominantly burning on the ground with some fire in the tree canopies. Officials anticipate the fire to burn for an extended period of time. Current winds are at about 20 MPH – 30 MPH and are blowing in all directions. Homes have been lost in the Kuester Road area but there is no confirmation on the number of structures affected.

Fire crews will be out all night focusing on structure protection. This is a defensive mode because crews are unable to get in front of the fire. Spotting has been seen ½ - 1 mile ahead of the fire which indicates the fire is still active and moving.

A Type 1 Federal Incident Management Team has been ordered and should be on site in the next day or two. Air support is also on order but that will be purely dependant on the wind.

Tomorrow’s fire behavior is expected to be similar to that of today. Erratic fire behavior will most likely result due to swift and shifting winds that are expected into tomorrow.

The shelter at Conifer High School has 90 people and 65 dogs on site. The shelter at Chatfield High School is functioning as an information clearing house at present but is available for sheltering evacuees.

Due to extreme fire conditions, entrance into affected areas to rescue animals is prohibited. If you need help or have animals in need of evacuation, call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for assistance at 303-271-0211.

Lower North Fork Fire

The Lower North Fork Fire has grown to over 3,000 acres and reverse 911 calls have been made to over 900 homes, asking for those residents to evacuate.

All residents south of Highway 285 in the area of the fire are asked to be prepared to evacuate.

The evacuation points are Conifer High School and Chatfield High School.

Animal evacuations, both large and small, can be taken to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.

Subdivisions that received reverse 911 calls include Maxwell Hill, Sampson, Kuehster, Critchell, Silver Ranch Estates, Oehlman Park, and Conifer Meadows north of Foxton Road. This may not be an all-inclusive list.

Major road closures:
· Pleasant Park Road is closed from Highway 285 to Deer Creek Canyon.
· Foxton Road is closed from Highway 285 to River Road.

There are 100 firefighters working the fire, with more on the way. The firefighters have been in a defensive posture focusing on structure protection and evacuations.

False 911 calls in south Jeffco resolved

The problem causing the false 911 calls to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has been fixed. Qwest will continue to monitor to assure no further disruptions.

Meyer Ranch Fire Contained

The crews on the Meyer Ranch Fire achieved 100% containment yesterday evening as expected. Snowfall in the area, while a favorable change in the weather, raises some concern for the safety of crews as they navigate the slippery rock terrain inspecting the area for hot spots and beginning clean up of tools and fire hose.

The crews expect to finish mop-up today between noon and 2 p.m. At that time, the San Carlos crew will head back to Woodland Park, and Elk Creek Fire and Rescue will continue to monitor the area.