The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is urging cyclists, pedestrians and nonresidents to avoid the Fourmile Canyon fire area through Oct. 1 to give residents, fire personnel, and utility crews priority access. More information.

• Lickskillet at Lefthand Rd.
• 10100 Goldhill Rd.
• 8200 Fourmile Canyon
• 4100 Fourmile Canyon
• 4221 Sunshine Canyon

More information

Residents in Boulder County who have been impacted by the fire are encouraged to stop by the Distribution Center to receive items that have been donated by the community. Donated items include clothing, bedding, housewares, household items, personal hygiene items, diapers, and other donated objects that may be of use to people displaced or affected by the fire.

The Distribution Center, located in Boulder at 5395 Pearl Parkway (next to Sunbelt Rentals) will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

More information

The county is still receiving donations of certain personal and household items at its Collection Center, located at 3111 28th St in Boulder (between Glenwood Dr. and Valmont Rd., across from the Puddle Car Wash and next to Time Warp comic & game store). The hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

Note: The Collection Center is asking only for the following donations at this time:

• Water, Sports Drinks, Laundry Supplies, and Cleaning Supplies including household paper products
• New underwear, socks, in all sizes, for all ages
• Feminine hygiene items
• NEW Sheets, towels
• Work Gloves, boots, dust masks
• Shovels & Rakes
• Sunscreen, Lip Balm
• Gift cards for families from local restaurants, department or consumer product stores, DVD rental outlets, etc.

Items NOT needed: used bedding, used adult clothing, perishable food

Call 2-1-1 to inquire about donation needs or volunteer opportunities.

The Assistance Center, which provides counseling and support services to displaced residents affected by the Fourmile Canyon wildfire, is located at Boulder County’s Sundquist Building, 3482 N. Broadway in Boulder. A call center is also operational there and can be contacted at 303-441-3560.

The assistance center is open Monday-Wednesday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. More information.

Hazards remain inside the burned areas of the fire perimeter

Residents of the evacuated areas and contractors working with residents in those areas are advised that, while the fire line has been completely 'contained,' many hazards and health & safety concerns remain within the fire perimeter. The primary concern at this time is the safety and security of residents going into those areas which have sustained significant infrastructure losses from the fire.

The county also wants to maintain open access for emergency personnel and firefighters still working in the area. Fire recovery efforts are underway, and our emergency personnel and firefighters appreciate having unobstructed access to those areas that pose a risk for further fire activity.

While active fire conditions have been mostly extinguished, much of the scorched ground is still warm or hot to the touch, and there remain many obstacles and dangers within the entire burned area. These include: downed power lines and poles, fire hot spots, infrastructure damage to roads and rights of way, lack of working utilities (phone, water, electricity), concerns about potable water quality and propane tank integrity, and exposed mine shafts (some of which continue to smolder).

Note: The term 'containment' does not mean that the fire is completely out. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group defines the definition of ‘contained’ as follows:  The status of a wildfire suppression action signifying that a control line has been completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably be expected to stop the fire’s spread.

• Sunshine Canyon up to 6631
• Fourmile Canyon up to 6000
• Melvina Hill
• County Road 83 between Sunshine Canyon and Lefthand Canyon
• Whispering Pines off of County Road 83
• Glendale Gulch area off of Lefthand Canyon

Want to help?

The greatest need is for monetary contributions. Call 2-1-1 to choose from a number of groups helping in the area and consider a cash donation.

Physical donations are being accepted at the official Boulder County donation drop-off site located at 3111 28th St. in Boulder (located on 28th St., between Glenwood Dr. and Valmont Rd., across from the Puddle Car Wash and next to Time Warp comic & game store)

The following items are most in need (as of Sep. 14):

• Rakes
• Shovels
• Work gloves
• Hiking boots
• Jeans
• New underwear and socks for men, women and children of all ages

Please consider only dropping off items on our current "wish list."

Dial 2-1-1 for volunteer information or register online.

Updated Fourmile Canyon wildfire map.

The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks department (OSMP) has been allowed to suspend most of the trail closures in western Boulder that were in effect as a result of the Fourmile Canyon wildfire. The closures were ordered last week by the agencies fighting the wildfire due to suppression operations, extreme fire conditions and expected high winds.

Wonderland Lake will remain closed because helicopters are continuing to use water for suppression efforts. The Wonderland Lake area will be closed until further notice, and citations are being issued for violations. OSMP and firefighters are appreciative of the public’s cooperation in this important matter.

All other trails have been re-opened.

As areas are opening to residents, Boulder County is moving the following resources to community locations within the burn area to support residents while reliable power utilities and water are still unavailable:

• Portable toilets and wash stations
• Water - drinking water and potable water for other sanitary purposes
• Dumpsters for solid waste collection (please see note below for household hazardous waste collection)
• Emergency phone stations for local and emergency calls (set-up by Qwest)

 
Residents returning to the burn area will not be able to refill their household propane tanks until tanks have been inspected and certified by licensed vendors.

In addition, the Boulder County Household Hazardous Materials center at Western Disposal, 5880 Butte Mill Rd, Boulder (see map) will expand its hours this week to receive household hazardous materials from inside the burn perimeter. There is no charge for this service. Hours this week include: Mon., Tues. (12-4); Wed (8-3:30); Fri (8-12); Sat (8-12).

At 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter will close the shelter at the Boulder YMCA serving evacuees of the Fourmile Canyon wildfire. The Red Cross will continue to serve the needs of the wildfire-affected residents via individual client casework currently being delivered at a coordinated victim assistance center at 3482 N. Broadway in Boulder (303-441-3560).

Shelter residents and other clients accessing the shelter have been informed of the impending closure. Red Cross caseworkers have been working with the shelter residents and other evacuees to open individual cases so that the Red Cross can help transition residents into recovery.

Roads opening at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 13:

• Arroyo Chico
• Camino Bosque
• Logan Mill
• Fourmile Canyon up to 4700-block (Gold Run and Melvina Hill remain closed)
• Sunshine Canyon up to County Road 83 (CR83 remains closed)

As more areas open, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is reiterating that all returning residents will need to get passes to gain entry into their neighborhoods. More information.

 
Areas reopen at this time:

• Most of the Mountain Pines subdivision (all but Escape Route Road)
• Left Fork Road
• Mountain King Road
• Arkansas Mountain Road

Complete list of open roads in original evacuation area.

Passes are available at the Boulder County Justice Center at 1777 Sixth St. (Sixth and Canyon) and will be distributed throughout the week during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The Justice Center will remain open on Sunday for this purpose until 8 p.m.

More information.

A fire ban for all of Boulder County will take effect at 6 p.m. today, Sept. 12. The ban precludes “open burning” which is defined as any outdoor fire, including campfires, warming fires, charcoal grill fires, and the prescribed burning of fence rows, fields, wildlands, trash and debris. More information.

Because of reduced need, the Boulder County Fairgrounds is no longer accepting animals displaced by the Fourmile Canyon wildfire. The Fairgrounds will continue to house and care for the animals already there.

Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is reiterating that all returning residents will need to get passes to gain entry into their neighborhoods.

http://www.bouldercounty.org/newsroom/templates/bocodefault.aspx?articleid=2321&zoneid=1 

Boulder County building officials and property assessment teams continue to investigate the Fourmile fire burn area to obtain more accurate and complete information regarding addresses impacted by the fire.

http://www.bouldercounty.org/newsroom/templates/bocodefault.aspx?articleid=2322&zoneid=1 

Homes on Left Fork Road that are not technically part of the Mountain Pines subdivision are included in the planned re-entry that will begin at noon today.

Residents may go the Boulder County Justice Center at 1777 Sixth St. (Sixth and Canyon) beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12. They will be asked to attend a short informational meeting where they will be briefed on safety issues and concerns in the area and given a chance to ask questions.

The Justice Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Residents will need to:

• Show identification
• Complete a form for reentry into the burn area (available at the Justice Center and here online)

Residents must secure an access pass before they are allowed back into their neighborhoods.

All returning residents will need passes to provide access into their neighborhood. These passes will be available starting at 10 a.m. today at the Boulder County Justice Center at 1777 Sixth St. (Sixth and Canyon). Passes also will be distributed throughout the week during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Justice Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Residents will need to:

• Show identification
• Complete a form for reentry into the burn area (available at the Justice Center and here online)

Victims’ advocates will be in the neighborhood to assist residents as they return.

Residents should be advised that there is no power or phone service at this time. Xcel crews will be entering the area today and working on power. Emergency officials will have one satellite phone with them should emergency phone service become necessary.

Sheriff’s officials are asking residents to wait to bring in private contractors.

Media will be given access to the neighborhood later this afternoon. Residents are free to make their own decisions about whether to talk to reporters.

Additional information will be released as other areas and neighborhoods are deemed safe for re-entry.

Please read this important information about returning to your residence.

The next media briefing about the Fourmile Canyon wildfire will be at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12 at the Boulder Reservoir.

Members of the media who wish to obtain passes to enter the burn areas as they are reopened will need to attend the 8 a.m. briefing and show credentials.

On Sunday, residents of the areas inside the fire perimeter can sign up for passes that will provide access into their neighborhoods when conditions allow for reentry.

Because of active fires still in the area and other hazards that threaten the health and safety of residents, only certain areas of the burn area will be opened at certain times. There has been no decision about when areas may begin to open.

Residents may go the Boulder County Justice Center at 1777 Sixth St. (Sixth and Canyon) beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12. They will be asked to attend a short informational meeting where they will be briefed on safety issues and concerns in the area and given a chance to ask questions.

The Justice Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Residents will need to:

• Show identification
• Complete a form for reentry into the burn area (available at the Justice Center and here online)

Residents must secure an access pass before they are allowed back into their neighborhoods.

As areas open for residents to return to their homes, the Mental Health Center of Boulder County will be providing counselors at community centers within the affected communities throughout the burn area as evacuees return. Counselors will be available in the following locations:

• Gold Hill Community Center (above fire barn)
• Sunshine Fire Station 1 (on County Road 83)
• Fourmile Canyon (Salina Little Church of the Pines)

Dumpsters will be set up in community areas to collect spoiled food and other trash from homes.

Additional information will be released on the Office of Emergency Management website and distributed through the media for dissemination.

Residents are asked to stay tuned to TV, radio and other news websites to find out when certain areas will be re-opened for residents to return to their properties.

Xcel Energy has established a hotline to help keep residents informed (800-545-0677) of the status of power in their area. Customers may call this number to hear a recorded message with current information on the restoration progress.

At this time, the following areas have had power restored:

• Portions of Boulder Heights
• All of Pinebrook Hills
• All of Carriage Hills
• All of Lee Hill
• Portions of Logan Hills

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is working on a plan to allow residents to register for a pass to go back into the burn area when specific areas are open for residents to visit their properties. At this time, no decisions have been made about where and when residents should go to register for this purpose, but we will post that information here and send a release to the media immediately when that information is available.

The primary concern at this time is the safety and security of residents going into an area that has experienced devastating impacts from the fire. While the active fire conditions have improved, there remain many obstacles and dangers within the burned area. These include: downed power lines and poles, hot fire spots, infrastructure damage to roads, lack of working utilities, and exposed mine shafts. We also need to make sure we keep open access for emergency personnel and firefighters still working in the area.

Please continue to check back to this site after the 7 p.m. briefing from the Incident Command Post for any updated information.

Residents should complete a request for residential pass form available to download here in Word (form) or PDF (form) format.

For information about avoiding problems in the rebuilding or repair process, consumers can go online to the D.A.'s website at www.bouldercounty.org/da to read "Before You Build" which offers a guide to researching potential builders – including considerations such as making sure they are licensed with Boulder County, how to avoid liens, how to find out if a contractor is registered with the Secretary of State, and if the contractor has references that can be checked and contracts that provide start and finish dates with no major up front payments.

For more information, call the Consumer Division at 303-441-3856.

Please no prepared or perishable food items. Boulder is a very generous community, and many people want to donate food for the firefighters. While it is appreciated, prepared or perishable food cannot be accepted.

At this time, volunteers are not needed and we are encouraging volunteers to still call 211 or 866-760-6489. Your information will be put into our database and we will contact you only if your skills are needed.

Questions about donations can still be directed to 211 or 866-760-6489, and physical donations are being handled at the official Boulder county donation drop-off site located at 3111 28th Street.

The site is only able to accept the following items:

• Gently used children's clothes
• Size large adult clothing
• Unused personal hygiene items
• Adult and baby diapers School supplies

Please do not drop off donations at local fire stations.

Boulder County established an Assistance Center for people displaced or affected by the wildfire. The center is located at Boulder County's Sundquist Building, 3482 N. Broadway (Broadway and Iris) in Boulder.

A call center is also operational there and can be contacted at 303-441-3560.

The Assistance Center is offering the following services to victims of the fire.

• Food and basic needs assistance
• Longer-term housing options for people how have lost their homes Insurance claim advice
• Mental health
• Medical case management
• Senior services for those aged 60 and over
• Coordination with local nonprofit organizations to provide clothing and other basic needs.

Fire officials are requesting that cyclists voluntarily discontinue use of the roads within and around the Fourmile Canyon fire area for the next week.

Fire fighters and incident managers will continue to require safe and secure access to these areas, with frequent travel of large vehicles and heavy traffic. Having to drive around recreationalists and cyclists can impede access to the still burning areas and areas where damage assessment activities are taking place.

Specifically, cyclists should refrain from trying to access roads in and around the following areas:

• Lee Hill Road
• Lefthand Canyon Road
• Old Stage Road
• Sunshine Canyon Road
• Fourmile Canyon Road
• Sugarloaf Road

 
All Boulder County Parks and Open Space properties are open for recreational use except for: Bald Mountain Scenic Area, Anne U. White Trail, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Wallstreet Assay Office, and all other properties owned or managed by Boulder County Parks and Open Space within the fire perimeter.

Boulder County Public Health has created a web page offering Fourmile Canyon fire health information at:

http://www.bouldercounty.org/health/fireresources.htm

Forest Service closes area due to Fourmile Canyon Fire

Boulder District Ranger Christine Walsh said, “This closure is necessary to protect public safety in close proximity to the Four Mile Canyon Fire. The fire is behaving very erratically at times; as winds and weather conditions shift the fire could move in a new direction at a moment’s notice.”

Fire danger is currently rated “very high” in Boulder County. Although fire restrictions are not in effect, visitors to other areas of the national forest are asked to be extremely careful with campfires to avoid further wildfire ignitions. If you use a fire, never leave campfires unattended, even for a few minutes. Pour on plenty of water and stir it into the coals until all materials are cool to the touch with your bare hand.

Xcel Energy hotline for residents returning to evacuated areas:

Xcel Energy has established a hotline to help keep residents informed (800-545-0677) of the status of power in their area. Customers may call this number to hear a recorded message with current information on the restoration progress.

Weekend special events postponed

At the request of the Sheriff’s Office, the following special events have been canceled this weekend due to firefighting operations during the Fourmile Canyon wildfire:

• CF Cycle for Life – bicycle ride by Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – originally scheduled for Sept. 11. Rescheduled to Oct. 2
• Boulder Sunset – triathlon by Your Cause Sports – originally scheduled for Sept. 11, rescheduled to Sept. 26
• Buffalo Bicycle Classic – bicycle ride by the CU College of Arts & Sciences – originally scheduled for Sept. 12, not yet rescheduled

The Niwot Parade and Greek Orthodox Church events have not been canceled.

Boulder County Parks and Open Space has reopened Betasso Preserve: www.bouldercounty.org/newsroom/templates/pos.aspx?articleid=2315&zoneid=18

Fourmile Canyon wildfire information as of 7 p.m. on Friday: The fire is approximately 6,422 acres in size. According to federal officials, the fire is 56 percent contained. No deaths as a result of the fire have been reported. More details: www.bouldercounty.org/newsroom/templates/bocodefault.aspx?articleid=2311&zoneid=1