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WOLF FIRE IS 75% CONTAINED AT 6,100 ACRES

The Wolf Fire, 5 miles south of Elk Springs in Moffat County, is holding steady at 6,100 acres.  That’s according to a press release from the Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit.  The majority of yesterday’s burning was within the fire’s established boundaries.  Air support has been pulled from the blaze, and some engines are being taken off the incident today.  The lightning caused fire started on BLM land, but is now burning on private acreage.  The blaze is 75% contained.  Yesterday, firefighters said they wouldn’t have the fire under control until Friday, but weather conditions have allowed them to move that up to Thursday.  There are oil and gas facilities 3 miles south of the fire, but there have been on evacuations or injuries associated with the Wolf Fire.

 

WILDFIRE BURNS 20 ACRES SOUTH OF HAYDEN

Firefighters took about three hours to put out a 20 acre blaze near a shooting range south of Hayden last night.  The fire may have been started by a stray bullet from the range.  Firefighters say lightning was NOT to blame in this case.  Crews did most of their mop-up work last night, but will be back today to check on the area.  They’ll search for any overlooked hot spots that could reignite the blaze.

 

Area Fire restrictions easing in some areas, remains high in others

With fire conditions varying widely across northwest Colorado, federal, state, and county officials are adjusting fire restrictions in some areas: Grand, Jackson, Routt, Moffat, and Rio Blanco Counties.

This morning, federal, state, and county officials revisited fire restrictions and conditions across northwest Colorado. The Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit Fire Management Officer Colt Mortenson compiled criteria relating to live fuel moistures, drought indexes, available resources and number of human caused fires to determine the need for fire restrictions. Fire managers will continue to revisit restrictions and conditions as warranted.

Grand County will rescind all fire restrictions.

The Routt National Forest will rescind fire restrictions in Colorado this Thursday, August 9.

Medicine Bow National Forest; Stage I fire restrictions in effect in Wyoming.

Routt County: Stage I fire restrictions in effect until August 14, after that date all fire restrictions are to be lifted on unincorporated private and state lands.
Jackson County: Stage I fire restrictions remain in effect until August 15, then the county will reassess conditions and determine whether to lift or hold stage I fire restrictions. All federally managed lands within Jackson County will remain in Stage I fire restrictions due to county ordinance.

Rio Blanco County: Stage I fire restrictions remain in effect.

Moffat County: Stage II fire restrictions remain in effect.

Bureau of Land Management:
Kremmling Field Office; Kremmling Field Office; Rescinding Stage I fire restrictions on BLM public lands managed by the Kremmling Field Office in Grand, Larimer, Eagle and Summit Counties; Retaining Stage I fire restrictions in Jackson County.
Little Snake Field Office; Stage II fire restrictions in effect on all BLM public lands managed by the Little Snake Field Office in Moffat and Routt Counties.
White River Field Office; Stage I fire restrictions in effect on BLM public lands managed by White River Field Office in Rio Blanco County, Stage II fire restrictions in Moffat County.

Dinosaur National Monument; Stage II fire restrictions in effect.
Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge; Stage II fire restrictions in effect.
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge; Stage I fire restrictions in effect.
Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forest; Fire restrictions rescinded.

Stage 1 fire restrictions include:
* Campfires only allowed within designated fire grates or fire pits in developed campgrounds – no fire pans or open fires of any type in undeveloped areas.
* Smoking only within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreations site or in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable vegetation.
* No use of explosive materials including fireworks or any incendiary device which may ignite flammable material
* No welding or operating acetylene or other similar torch with open flame.
* No operation of any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed and in working order.
* No fireworks of any type, this includes sparklers
* Mechanical stoves and appliances fueled by bottled or liquid gas which allows the operator to control or extinguish the flame with a valve provided such devices are approved by Underwriters Laboratory Inc.

Stage II fire restrictions in addition to the above listed prohibitions include:
The following acts are prohibited on the public land, roads, and trails described herein, until further notice:
*Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.
*Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
*Operating a chainsaw or motorized equipment for any purpose.
*Blasting, welding, or other activities which generate flame or flammable material.

 

COLORADO’S SENATORS ASK FEDS FOR MORE DISASTER FUNDING

Colorado’s senators are asking the Senate Appropriations Committee to consider an emergency supplemental appropriations bill to help areas affected by this year’s wildfires.  The lawmakers say there is money in the USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program, that can help address a number of natural resources issues related tot he fires.  Some communities are dealing with unstable slopes from wildfire activity.  Protecting drinking water infrastructures is also a priority.  There are a couple of examples of how the money could be used.  Last week the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Colorado announced it coughed up half a million dollars to help stabilize privately owned land impacted by the Hewlett Fire on the Front Range.  The Watershed Protection Program was used in Greely to fund aerial seeding and mulching on more than 500 acres.

 

STEAMBOAT LAKE PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Steamboat lake State Park will continue their interpretive programs through the Labor Day Weekend.  The programs are described as a fun and educational way to encourage an appreciation for the great outdoors.  Programs run Thursday through Sunday and can include hikes, games, crafts, and guest speakers.  Most programs are free, but each vehicle entering the park must have a daily or annual park pass.  This week’s activities are listed below.
Tuesday, Aug. 7
1 p.m. Snake Sensation – This is an educational program about snakes followed by a meet and greet with our resident snake. Meet at the Marina.
Thursday, Aug. 9,
1 p.m. What’s the Buzz about Hummingbirds? This is an educational program about hummingbirds for all ages followed by a hummingbird craft for children. Meet at the Steamboat Lake Marina.
4 p.m. The Pine Beetle – This is an educational program about the pine trees and the pine beetle epidemic occurring in the area. Meet at the Sunrise Vista Amphitheatre.
Friday, Aug. 10
10 a.m. Tombstone Nature Trail Guided Hike – This is a one mile, guided hike to learn about the area and see one of our most popular trails. Meet at the Tombstone Trailhead.
1 p.m. Pelts, Tracks, and Skulls – This is an interactive program for children about the wildlife in the area. Meet at the Park’s Visitor Center.
3 p.m. BATS! This is an interactive program for all ages about bats followed by a bat craft for children. Meet at the Camper Services Building.
8:30 p.m. Wildflowers of Colorado – Join our guest speaker, Kelly Hancock, to learn about wildflowers in the area. Meet at the Sunrise Vista Amphitheatre.
Saturday, Aug. 11
9 a.m. Flotilla – Come take a boat tour of the lake while learning about the wildlife and history of the area.  This program costs $5 per child, $8 per adult, or $20 for a family of four. Space is limited and reservations are recommended.  Call the Steamboat Lake Marina at 970-879-7019 to make reservations.
11 a.m. Crawdad Craze – This is an educational program about crawdads followed by crawdad catchin’. Meet at the Bridge Island Footbridge.
4 p.m. Talk With a Ranger and Historian – Our Senior Ranger, Brent Lounsbury, and local historian, Joyce Wetterberg, will be answering all of your questions about the park and the area. Meet at the Marina.
Sunday Aug. 5
9 a.m. Guided Bird Hike - This is a one mile, guided bird hike. Visitors will learn about the area as well as the birds found in the area. Meet at the Tombstone Trail.
11 a.m. Black Bears – This is an interactive program about black bears for all ages. Meet at the Sunrise Vista Amphitheatre.

 

VOTING REGISTRATION DEADLINE APPROACHING

Those wanting to vote in November’s general election must be registered to vote by October 9th.  Registration can be taken care of online, or at your local County Clerk and Recorder’s Office.  You’ll need a valid Colorado driver’s license or ID card.  You can request a mail-in ballot up until October 30th.  The general election itself will be held November 6th.  A link to the registration website can be found here.

 

MOFFAT COUNTY FAIR CONTINUES THIS WEEK

The Moffat County Fair is going on this week.  Fair organizers are taking open class, and homemade beverage entries until 8 tonight.  Pen assignments will be posted at 5.  The weigh-in of livestock starts tomorrow morning at 8 starting with the sheep, followed by the swine.  Beef will be weighed Thursday.  The market lamb show is today at 5, and the Black Mountain Junior Rodeo Series takes place at 6 in the arena.  For a complete schedule, click on the Moffat County Fair tile on the front page.

 

COALITIONS TO DISCUSS INITIATIVES INTENDED FOR BALLOT

Two coalitions are planning to discuss their efforts to qualify initiatives for the November ballot.  One group turned in more than 100,000 signatures yesterday in an effort to qualify an initiative for the statewide ballot that would regulate large political contributions.  Another group says it will make an announcement regarding the number of signatures gathered to place the personhood initiative on the ballot.  That proposal would ban stem-cell research and some fertility treatments.