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News Release

High Park Fire Update for 7/2/12

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Department: Sheriff
Release Date: Jul 2, 2012

Contact Information:

Larimer County Sheriff's Office
John Schulz, Public Information Officer

The High Park Fire is 100% contained at 87,284 acres.  A Type 3 management team, led by Ken Paul, assumed responsibility for the fire yesterday.  That team is based at CSU's Pingree Park campus.
 

It should be noted that "containment" means that a containment line exists around the fire, which fire managers believe will hold the fire within the perimeter.  "Control" means that the fire is actually out which, on a fire of this magnitude, typically requires an act of nature such as prolonged rain or snowfall.  


 
Hot spots will continue to exist within the perimeter during the containment phase and residents should expect to see smoke for days and weeks as the fire moves from containment to control.

 
Residents are urged to read the material posted at www.larimer.org/highparkfire regarding returning home and clean-up efforts.

 
 
Current Situation:

 
Fire crews are continually patrolling the fire perimeter, mopping up hotspots near the edge of the fire perimeter and conducting fireline rehabilitation, including chipping tree debris on the fireline and installing water bars to help prevent erosion.

 
Residents remain vigilant and have been reporting small smoke columns within the perimeter of the fire. The vast majority of these hotspots have been well within the fire perimeter and pose no threat of escape. 

 
The public is reminded to drive cautiously and reduce speed when travelling on roads near the fire. Drivers should stay alert for firefighters and their vehicles, distracted drivers, and rocks on the roads. Citizens should stay out of burned areas since fire weakened trees can fall unexpectedly and silently. Burned areas are susceptible to flooding, debris, and mudslides when rainfall is received.  

 
Resources include:  155 personnel, 2 - Type 2 hand crews, 16 engines, 3 dozers, 4 water tenders,  2 - Type 3 helicopters and available heavy air tankers.

 

 
Resident Information:

 
Residents may also obtain information at www.larimer.org/emergency .

 
All county-provided dumpsters in the evacuation areas will be removed this afternoon with the exception of the two dumpsters in the Buckhorn Canyon which will remain until tomorrow afternoon.

 
 
Forest Service Information: 

 
Contact the U.S. Forest Service for specific information on closures and restrictions at www.fs.usda.gov/arp.
 
Fire danger remains very high.  Larimer County and U.S. Forest Service fire restrictions remain in effect and citizens are reminded to be cautious and vigilant while in recreational areas. 

 

 
Additional Information/Resources:

 
Larimer County has opened the High Park Fire Disaster Recovery Center on the Colorado State University Campus at Johnson Hall.  The center is open Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Parking is free for victims on the south side of the administration building.  For more information, please visit their website at http://www.safety.colostate.edu.
 
Residents are reminded to receive emergency notifications on cell phones or email and should visit the website at www.leta911.org.