#LimeGulchFire Social Media Data and Analysis

On 6/19/13 the Jefferson County Type III Incident Management Team (IMT) Public Information unit was activated to support the Lime Gulch Fire response.  The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) responded quickly by using twitter and facebook to broadcast information about the fire and evacuations.  Shortly thereafter the Jefferson County Emergency Blog was activated and an interactive google map was created.

The first tweet went out at approximately 1:28 PM on 6/19/13.  By the evening of the 19^th the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office had posted 106 tweets reaching a combined impressions number of 4,029,775.  15 facebook posts had also been issued reaching a collective 60,148 impressions.  The Emergency Blog had been updated 9 times.  Pageviews to the blog, on the 19^th alone, reached 19,475.

The final blog post was titled: “Final Update: Type 2 Team to take Control of the Lime Gulch Fire”.  This was posted at 7:20 PM on the 19^th.  After this blog post was published the Jefferson County Type III IMT PIO unit was demobilized. From this point forward the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office supported and amplified the public information messages that were subsequently shared by the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the incoming Rocky Mountain Team B Type II Incident Management Team.

Through the duration of the incident the JCSO tracked various social media and pageview data related to the JCSO accounts (twitter, facebook, blogger, and google map).  JCSO also tracked the following hashtags on twitter: #COFIRE, #ChairRockFire, and #LimeGulchFire.  This report contains a number of archival and analytical reports produced as a result of the tracking that was completed.  JCSO did not track data for the USFS twitter pages or for Inciweb.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is releasing the social media reports and analysis with the US Forest Service and with the general public. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office recognizes that the SMEM (Social Media for Emergency Management) and VOST (Virtual Operations Support Team) community continues to be an evolving movement.  We are releasing our data so that the community as a whole can emulate the positives demonstrated during this incident and learn from the lessons learned during the same.

For more information regarding this report please contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office via the Public Information Unit.  If there is additional data or documentation that you think should be a part of this report please contact us at jeffcosheriff@gmail.com.  Thank you.

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Summary Documents

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Twitter Summary Statistics Comparison to Lower North Fork Fire

Google Documents Folder

Jefferson County Emergency Blog

Jefferson County Emergency Blog Posts

Jeffco Blog Tabs: Incident Summary

Jeffco Blog Tabs: Map 

Jeffco Blog Tabs: Resources

Jeffco Blog Overview Stats

Jeffco Blog Pageview Stats

Jeffco Blog Referring Sites Stats

Jeffco Blog Audience Stats

Google Document Folder

Live Link

JCSO Google Map

Lime Gulch Fire Google Map

Link to Google Map

KML Files and Other Mapping Files

Google Documents Folder

@JeffcoSheriffCo Tweets

@JeffcoSheriffCo Tweets via Storify

@JeffcoSheriffCo Tweets Via Crowdbooster

@JeffcoSheriffCo Twitter Analysis via Crowdbooster

@JeffcoSheriffCo Twitter Follower Growth

@JeffcoSheriffCo Impresions vs. Retweets via Crowdbooster

@JeffcoSheriffCo Top Retweeters via Crowdbooster

@JeffcoSheriffCo Top Followers

Google Documents Folder

Hashtags - Tracked by Simply Measured and Rowfeeder.com

#LimeGulchFire

#ChairRockFire

#Cofire

Additional Hashtag Data via Tags 5.0

Rowfeeder Google Documents Folder

Tags 5.0 Google Documents Folder

Jefferson County Sheriff Facebook Page

JCSO Facebook Posts via Screenshot

JCSO Facebook Posts via Crowdbooster

JCSO Facebook Summary Stats via Crowdbooster

JCSO Facebook Reach vs PTAT via Crowdbooster

JCSO Facebook Follower Growth

JCSO Facebook Top Fans

Google Documents Folder

USFS Tweets

Tweets from @PSICC_NF and @RMIMT2_TEAMB

Twitter Search for Mentions of @PSICC_NF

Twitter Search for Mentions of @RMIMT@_TEAMB

Google Documents Folder

Feedback

Feedback Received via the JCSO Facebook and Twitter Pages

Feedback Received via JCSO Email

Mentions of @JeffcoSheriffCo Sorted for Analysis

Google Documents Folder

Online Communities

285Bound Forum 1 – Live Link

285 Bound Forum 2 – Live Link

285Bound Forum - Primary – Live Link

IAP Documents Shared on 285Bound Live Links: 1 2 3 4

EvergreenBound Forum– Live Link

PinecamForum – Live Link

Google Documents Folder

Other Sites/Blogs

Inciweb Link

Colorado Fire Maps

Colorado Wildfire Facebook Group

Colorado Wildfires Facebook Page

CoWildfireInfo Facebook Page

Weather Forecast - Winds

Radio Scanners

Jeffco

Colorado Mutual Aid

#BlueBellFire Social Media Documentation and Analysis

On June 3, 2013 the Jefferson County Type III Incident Management Team (IMT) Public Information Officer (PIO) unit was activated to respond to the Bluebell Fire.  

At approximately 2000 hours on Tuesday June 4, 2013 the IMT passed control of the fire back to Evergreen Fire.  At that time the PIO team was demobilized and the PIO effort passed back to Evergreen Fire as well as to the traditional JCSO PIO/Community Relations channels.

While this fire was relatively small and insignificant in comparison to other incidents the JCSO IMT PIO team observed that the level of attention and engagement by the public was very high.  The number of visits to the blog and google map, along with the high number of twitter RT and Facebook share rates, prove that the community has learned to use social media tools during incidents.  The data further confirms that the JCSO IMT PIO team must continue to use social media posts and engagement as a key essential piece of their overall public information strategy.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is releasing the social media reports and analysis with the general public. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office recognizes that the SMEM (Social Media for Emergency Management) and VOST (Virtual Operations Support Team) community continues to be an evolving movement.  We are releasing our data so that the community as a whole can emulate the positives demonstrated during this incident and learn from the lessons learned during the same. 

For more information regarding this report please contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office via the Public Information Unit.  If there is additional data or documentation that you think should be a part of this report please contact us at jeffcosheriff@gmail.com.  Thank you.

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Summary Data

Executive Summary

Table of Contents         

Jefferson County Emergency Blog:

Jefferson County Emergency Blog Posts

Blogger Overview Stats

Blogger Pageview Stats

Blogger Referring Sites Stats

Blogger Audience Stats

JCSO Google Map

JCSO Google Map

Picture Maps and KMZ

@JeffcoSheriffCo Tweets

@JeffcoSheriffCo Tweets Page 1

@JeffcoSheriffCo Tweets Page 2

@JeffcoSheriffCo Tweets Page 3

@JeffcoSheriffCo Tweets Excel

@JeffcoSheriffCo Twitter Growth

@JeffcoSheriffCo Impressions Vs RT Summary

@JeffcoSheriffCo Top Retweeters

#BlueBellFire Hashtag

Google Document https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Av3vHjXvTmbCdHdXTWZ6bHpiS1I1MlljSThfTVd6YUE&usp=sharing

Visualization: http://hawksey.info/tagsexplorer/?key=twWMfzlzbKR52YcI8_MWzaA&sheet=oaw

Searchable Archive: http://hawksey.info/tagsexplorer/arc.html?key=twWMfzlzbKR52YcI8_MWzaA

@JeffcoSheriffCo Mentions

Google Document: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Av3vHjXvTmbCdENyRzc2SkIxWkhEYlM4cWZrSUs5RWc&usp=sharing

Searchable Archive: http://hawksey.info/tagsexplorer/arc.html?key=tCrG76JB1ZHDbS8qfkIK9Eg

Visualization: http://hawksey.info/tagsexplorer/?key=tCrG76JB1ZHDbS8qfkIK9Eg&sheet=oaw

#CoFire Hashtag

Google Document https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Av3vHjXvTmbCdDNVRnU1UDVNU1RCSGUzbXVZZnIwYmc&usp=sharing

Searchable Archive: http://hawksey.info/tagsexplorer/arc.html?key=t3UFu5P5MSTBHe3muYfr0bg

Visualization: http://hawksey.info/tagsexplorer/?key=t3UFu5P5MSTBHe3muYfr0bg&sheet=oaw

Jefferson County Sheriff Facebook Page

Jefferson County Sheriff Facebook Posts

Jefferson County Sheriff Facebook Posts Excel

Jefferson County Sheriff Facebook Posts Overview Stats

Jefferson County Sheriff Facebook Top Users

Jefferson County Sheriff Facebook Page Likes

BlueBell Fire Facebook Search

Pictures

Storify

Storify KUNC 1   http://storify.com/KUNC/tuesday-photos-from-bluebell-fire

Storify KUNC 2  http://storify.com/KUNC/fire-spotted-near-evergreen

Storify Animal Rescue   http://storify.com/northlandfox/animal-evacuations-bluebellfire-colorado

Online Communities

285Bound Community  http://www.285bound.com/blog

PineCam Community   http://www.pinecam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=171500&hilit=bluebell

PineCam Weather Page   http://www.pinecam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=171510

EvergreenBound Community http://evergreenbound.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=106&t=5442

Other Sites/Blogs

Other Sites: Toraradical   http://www.toraradical.com/2013/06/bluebell-fire-causes-nearly-10000.html

Other Sites: Joseph Oria   http://josephoria.com/tag/bluebell-fire/

Other Sites: Disaster Support Volunteers   http://www.disastersupportvolunteers.com/d7/content/create-forum-topic/possible-vegetation-fireevergreen-0

Other Sites: Salvation Army-Intermountain Division   http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/media/?ID=4da4ef6bd8cca3af74e7d4b4d692773a

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=218308087804585678217.0004de488a598ee78195e&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=39.776353,-105.296402&spn=0.184702,0.411987&z=11&source=embed

Other Sites: NOAA   http://www.crh.noaa.gov/bou/?n=bluebell_wildfire

Radio Scanners

Radio Reference   http://forums.radioreference.com/colorado-incidents-breaking-news/267987-bluebell-fire-evergreen-fire-near-brook-forest-near-bluebell-circle.html

Broadcastify   http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/4269/web

Other Maps

CoFireMaps   http://www.coloradofiremaps.com/bluebell-fire-06-03-2013/

Google Public Alerts Map   http://www.google.org/publicalerts?hl=en&gl=US#v=40.0390307,-104.994919,39.031268,-105.4442524&z=8

Final Update: Type 2 Team to take Control of the Lime Gulch Fire

Starting immediately further information regarding the fire can be obtained from the USFS.  Please find their contact information at http://www.fs.usda.gov/psicc .  The USFS is also on twitter at https://twitter.com/PSICC_NF

The US Forest Service has confirmed that a Type II Incident Management Team is on order and will be taking over control of the Lime Gulch Fire at approximately 6:00 PM on 6/20.

The team that will be taking over is the Rocky Mountain Team B - Incident Commander Dan Dallas.  You can view their website here: http://rmabravo.imtcenter.net/main/Index.aspx

Starting immediately further information regarding the fire can be obtained from the USFS.  Please find their contact information at http://www.fs.usda.gov/psicc .  The USFS is also on twitter at https://twitter.com/PSICC_NF

No further information will be shared via this blog unless the fire behavior changes dramatically.

Agencies Fighting the Lime Gulch Fire

Inter-Canyon Fire
Indian Hills
West Metro Fire
Evergreen Fire
Elk Creek Fire
North Fork Fire
Platte Canyon
Genesee Fire
US Forest Service

Facebook Picture Album

We have posted some pictures on facebook!  You can see the pictures here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152026931464899.1073741841.18943944898&type=1

Lime Gulch Fire Update

The current size estimate is 150-200 acres.

The fire is currently contained within US Forest Service land.  No new evacuations have been issued at this time.  Those who received level 1 evacuation notices (be ready to leave) should be ready to leave in case the winds shift.

The following agencies are involved fighting this fire:

Evergreen Fire
Elk Creek Fire
North Fork Fire
USFS

The cause of the fire is believed to be lightning.

Acreage Update

This came in via the Pike & San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC):

Pike NF wildfire in Jefferson Cty near Foxton. Lime Gulch fire is estimated over 50ac. Air attack and firefighters enroute. #LimeGulchFire
— USFS_Pike&San Isabel (@PSICC_NF) June 19, 2013

Lime Gulch Fire Map as of 6/19 7 p.m.

Here is the Lime Gulch fire map as of 6/19 at 7 p.m.  This map is no longer being updated.


View #LIMEGulchFire in a larger map

New Level Three (leave now) Evacuation

A new level three evacuation has been issued for the Buffalo Creek Township.  A level three evacuation means leave now!

Fire is now called #LimeGulchFire

Attention all:  The Chair Rock Fire has been renamed the Lime Gulch Fire.

If you are on twitter please retweet this change and begin to post to the #LimeGulchFire tag.

Thank you.

Chair Rock Fire Activation

The Jefferson County Emergency Blog has been activated to support the Chair Rock Fire.

The fire is burning in the area of Foxton Road and River Road near Conifer, Colorado.

A level three evacuation (leave now) has been issued for the areas within a three mile radius of the Foxton Road and River Road intersection.

410 phones were called within this evacuation area.  Deputies are in the area going door to door to assist with the evacuations.

This location can be viewed via the following google map: http://goo.gl/maps/fR7hN


View #ChairRockFire in a larger map

A level one evacuation (be ready to leave) notice has also been sent out to Spring Creek Subdivision.

Evergreen High School has been set up as an Evacuation Center (29300 Buffalo Park Road).

A shelter for large animals is available at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds (15200 W 6th Ave, Golden, Co, 80401).

A shelter for small animals is available at the Foothills Animal Shelter (580 McIntyre Street Golden, Co 80401).

Agencies currently fighting the fire include North Fork Fire, US Forest Service and Elk Creek Fire.
Further updates will be shared as soon as possible via this blog and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office twitter page: http://www.twitter.com/jeffcosheriffco

Final Blue Bell Fire Update

This will be the final blog post for the Blue Bell Fire incident.

The fire is 100% contained.  Firefighters will continue to be in the area for a few days as they complete the final mop up operations.

At 8 PM 6/4/13 all evacuation and road restrictions were lifted.

At 8 PM 6/4/13 the Jefferson County Incident Management Team passed control of the incident to Evergreen Fire.

An information line has been set up and will remain active as long as there is a need.  The recorded information line can be reached at 303-271-5800.

Additional information regarding this incident can be obtained via www.jeffcosheriff.com.

Thank you American Red Cross & Salvation Army Volunteers!

The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have worked tirelessly to support the fire fighting efforts.

We have received a number of requests to provide resources to aid the incident response.  In lieu of resources we are asking that you consider donating to our partners at the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

You can find information regarding the American Red Cross here: http://www.redcross.org/support

You can find information regarding the local chapter of the Salvation Army here: http://www.imsalvationarmy.org/usw/www_usw_IM-20.nsf/vw-dynamic-index/B9260BA6BC57E9AC8825783F007D6485?openDocument

Thank You Fire Fighters!

At 8 PM tonight all evacuations and road restrictions will be lifted!

Blue Bell Fire Evening Update 6/4/13

All evacuation areas and road restrictions will be lifted at 8 p.m. tonight.

Crews have been very active on the fire lines today.  A containment line 100 feet wide is now in place around the fire perimeter.  The anticipated cold front has already arrived.  The front did not produce the winds that were anticipated and it is now aiding in the cooling of the fire.  Tonight the fire area will have a relative humidity of 85-95%.  Power has been restored to the entire area.

Based on the above information, all evacuations and road restrictions will be lifted at 8 p.m.  Residents are asked to use use care and caution as they reenter the area.  The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office will have deputies in the area to help facilitate the safe and orderly return to the region.

Today the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, along with Evergreen Fire, conducted a cause and origin investigation.  The investigative team has determined that a 48 foot tree came into contact with two power lines.  The tree acted as a ground wire, causing a fire to burn at the base of the tree.  This resulted in a two foot hole that burned into the ground and ignited a ground fire.   This fire became the Bluebell Fire.  The team's official report will be available for release in a few weeks.

The estimated size of the fire has been revised down to approximately 10 acres.

The current cost estimate for firefighting efforts is $80,000.

At 8 p.m. the Jefferson County Incident Management Team will pass the firefighting efforts back to Evergreen Fire Department.

Update from the Incident Commander

The following is an update provided by the Incident Commander Bill Easterling.

Incident Commander Bill Easterling opened the meeting by stating that the community "Should be proud and thankful to have Chief Weege" working with Evergreen Fire.  Yesterday and today 140 firefighters have been fighting the fire.  As a result no homes or structures have been lost.  There have also been no injuries to any of the fire fighters.

Easterling told the attendees that the goal is to get all homeowners back into their homes beginning at 8:00 PM.  He did caution that this was a goal but not a promise.  He stated that the decision to lift the mandatory evacuation will be made "if we feel it is safe enough for you to go home".  The Incident Commander defined safe by stating, "if it safe enough for you to shut your eyes and go to sleep tonight without worrying".

Easterling took some time to explain the difference between a containment line and a control line.  He stated that the fire is 100% contained but it is not controlled.  A containment line is a small line that surrounds the fire to help prevent fire spread.  A control line is a line that will prevent the fire from passing the line under any foreseeable circumstances.  There continues to be burning fire within the perimeter therefore it is important the line be a control line before lifting any additional evacuations.

The best way for homeowners to know when they can return?  Continue to follow on Twitter and on this blog.  Residents can also call 303-271-4930 to obtain this information.

The estimated fire size remains at 15-20 acres.  This number will be updated as accurate numbers come in from the field.

There are currently 360 homes without power.  The goal is to restore power by 8:00 PM prior to lifting the mandatory evacuation notice.  IREA does have a generator in the area to provide back up power to some homes.

The area supervisor for Century Link attended the meeting and stated that the infrastructure in the area is intact.  He provided his contact information in case anyone should have any questions: Tim Vanni: 303-596-9178.

Safety Precautions for Re-entry and Clean-up after Fire

•Use caution when bringing children and pregnant women into an area with ash and damaged structures until cleanup is completed. Do not leave children unattended at burned properties.

• Watch for repeated coughing, nausea, unusual fatigue or dizziness, particularly if there is a medical history of chronic lung disease (like asthma or COPD) or heart disease.

• Don't breathe the ash from the fires. Ash can irritate your respiratory system. Adults should use a protective mask (N-95 or P-100) while in areas where ash particles cannot be controlled. N-95 masks must be properly fitted and are not designed for children or people with facial hair, subsequently they will not provide full protection.

• Protective clothing is important: wear goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots with steel toes and insoles (not just steel shank), long sleeves, and long pants to avoid skin contact. Handle all burned plastics with gloves as possible toxins can come off the plastic.

• Debris: Watch for broken glass, exposed: wires, nails, wood, metal, plastic, falling trees and tree limbs.

• Watch for Ash Pits and mark them for safety. Ash pits are holes of hot or cold ashes, created by burned trees and stumps. Falling into ash pits can cause burns and/or injuries.

• Get a Tetanus shot if you have not had a booster in the last 10 years or cannot remember when your last shot was. Contact your healthcare provider or JCPH at 303-232-6301for more information.

Food Products

If you are not certain food is safe, throw it out!

·         Throw away food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture. When in doubt, throw it out.

·          

·         Wash fruits and vegetables with water from a safe source before eating.

How to determine if food from the refrigerator and freezer is safe to eat:

·         Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than 4 hours and the refrigerator door was kept shut. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products or leftovers) that has been above 40°F for two hours or more.

·         If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, check the temperature when the power comes back on. If the freezer thermometer reads 40°F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen.

·         If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to

determine its safety. You can't rely on appearance or odor. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 °F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook.

·         Keep in mind that perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, and eggs that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause illness if onsumed, even when they are thoroughly cooked.

For more information please visit:

Centers for Disease Control ‐

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/facts.asp

Food & Drug Administration ‐

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm076881.htm

Emergency Access into the Evacuated Area

The current goal is to allow everyone back into their homes later this evening.

Citizens who live within the mandatory evacuation area and have a critical or emergent need may request a deputy to escort them temporarily into and out of their homes.

Residents requesting access emergent access to the area must call 303-271-4930 to make an appointment with a deputy.  Residents will meet with the deputy at Evergreen High School at the appointed time.  Please do not go to Evergreen High School if you have not already scheduled your appointment.

Animal Control will be available to assist homeowners with any critical animal needs.  Any animal related needs should be communicated when scheduling the appointment.

The home visits will be limited to 15 minutes. 

These escorts are for residents only and are not being offered to media.

Please be advised that every appointment is contingent upon the weather and fire behavior.  The appointments may be cancelled at any time for safety reasons.

Additional Blue Bell Fire Map Images

Here are some additional maps. These can also be viewed on our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/jeffersoncountysheriff.

TCP = Traffic Control Points
The green area is the area under mandatory evacuation.The red area is a rough fire perimeter.


 

Updated Blue Bell Fire Google Map

The google map has been updated to show the road closures.  The dark red is still under a mandatory evacuation area.  The orange roads are open to residents only.

Here is the direct link to the map:
 https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=218308087804585678217.0004de488a598ee78195e&msa=0&ll=39.601919,-105.371161&spn=0.035843,0.077162

View Blue Bell Fire in a larger map