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SMALL FIRES FLARE UP OVER WEEKEND
Fire crews from the Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit have responded to several small fires in Rio Blanco and Moffat counties. All are lightning caused and less than two acres at this time. No structures are threatened.
The three fires in Rio Blanco County are on Bureau of Land Management public land managed by the White River Field Office.
The Monument Fire started Saturday and the Rangely Rural Fire Protection District responded with two engines while the NWCFMU sent a squad of fire fighters and an engine from Dinosaur National Monument. Due to steep, tough terrain, smoke jumpers were ordered and dropped into the roughest part of the fire. The fire was contained Sunday and was held to one and three quarter acres.
The Black Mountain Fire was reported around 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 25, in the Black Mountain Wilderness Study Area. A BLM engine provided initial response and six smoke jumpers re-routed from the Monument Fire to aid in fighting the Black Mountain Fire. No containment time is estimated at this time and is one and one half acres.
The Kendall Fire is eight miles southwest of Meeker and is one and one half acres. Two BLM engines and one fire manager are assigned. This fire is being managed to promote a vegetative mosaic which will leave cover for wildlife and diversify the age of the plants for range health. The Kendall Fire was reported July 18.
The Upper Disaster Fire is in Moffat County southwest of Jack Springs on the Dinosaur National Monument. The fire was reported Saturday evening and two smoke jumpers were assigned. Containment was accomplished Sunday around 1:30 p.m. and was kept to one tenth acre.
“Recent rain has helped minimize fire growth and intensity,” said Dave Toelle, Assistant Fire Management Officer. “Once grasses cure and the monsoonal flow dries up however, we will return to more typical fire behavior for this time of year.”
HEAT STROKE VICTIM IDENTIFIED
Steamboat authorities have identified the woman who died of heat stroke early Monday morning. 60 year old Becky Baker fell asleep in the sun Sunday afternoon and was rushed to Yampa Valley Medical Center, when she was found sluggish and unresponsive Sunday night. She was pronounced dead shortly after midnight. Heat stroke deaths are not common in the area, but health officials say to always use sun block when lounging outdoors, to give yourself breaks when sun bathing, and to stay hydrated.
1 CHILD LEFT BEHIND
A young Colorado girl was left behind accidentally by her family at an Interstate 80 exit west of Green River Sunday. According to the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, the 5 year old girl was let out of the family van for a potty break, but the vehicle took off before she was done. Witnesses reported the little girl as left behind. Through information from the girl, the deputy was able to get a hold of the girls parents. They said they were returning from a trip to see the girl’s grandparents in Utah, and didn’t even notice she was gone until they were called by authorities. Deputies say there were at least 10 children in the van. The family is from Colorado Springs. The girl is now back with her family. There’s no indication any charges will be filed.
COURTHOUSE REMODEL
There was only one qualifying bid for the remodel project on the north side of the Moffat County Courthouse. APH Construction will perform the work, which will be mostly on the outside of the building. The idea will be to clean up the exterior with repairs, new paint and stucco, while maintaining the historic look of the building. The project will cost $47,300. The commissioners will also consider adding a mud room to the main north entrance, protecting the inside of the building from the weather. If they do, they’ll bid it out as a seperate project. The contract for the remodeling project is expected to be signed today.
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
The Legislative Task Force to Study School Discipline holds its first meeting tomorrow at the state capitol. The task force was formed to check and recommend changes to discipline policies in public schools. The action was spurred by the number of school incidents that have required law enforcement involvement recently. Over the last 10 years, nearly 100,000 students across the state have been referred to law enforcement. The majority of the offenses were minor, and did not threaten school safety. The task force is charged with bringing a more common sense approach to school discipline. Several more meetings are planned over the next three months. Then the task force will make its recommendations.
HEPATITIS DAY
Tomorrow is World Hepatitis Day, a day when health officials try to spread awareness of the disease and its effects. The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association in Craig will take the recognition a step further. Tomorrow, they’ll offer free hepatitis vaccines for all ages on a drop-in basis. Those wanting a vaccine can stop by the office on Russell Street between 2 and 5 tomorrow afternoon.
