Lower North Fork Fire Residents ask: Why no state help?

I am hoping to attend, have to find a babysitter for the munchkins still...

The video of the meeting is now available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWX4uL6rWQs
There are also some additional documents that will be loaded shortly.

[youtube:kjpm95v3][/youtube:kjpm95v3]
This is a video of the Public Information Presentation by the Kuehster Road Homeowners on the Lower North Fork Fire
October 29, 2012
~146 in attendance

Sam Lucas introduces Representative Cheri Gerou
@0:30 Cheri Gerou opening comments
@2:55 Sam Lucas
@9:00 Tom Scanlan - Intro & PowerPoint presentation
@21:00 previous prescribed burns in Lower North Fork area and outcomes
@32:53 Reaction Day of Escape
@37:00 What Caused This Tragedy
@41:31 Financial Impacts Beyond Insurance
@44:23 Commission Results - pending legislation *** explanations follow
Bill 6 - Extend Wildfire Mitigation Financial Incentives
Bill 7 - All-Hazards Resource Mobilization & Reimbursement
Bill 8 - Increase Colorado Immunity Act for Injury (killed in committee)
Bill 2 - Colorado Prescribed Burn Act (@47:20)
@50:00 - after Sept 1, 2013 must have Certified Burn Boss, until then, trainee acceptable
@52:00 "we encourage the evaluation of other means of mitigating fires
@53min cost of fire, right before that details of Bill 2 CO Prescribed Burn Act
$78,000 cost of doing prescribed burn.
$6.5 million to battle the fire
$16 million estimated to clean up properties
@54:37 Homeowners Recommendations for Prescribed Fire Controls
@1:00:00 What's Happened since the Wildfire (video of Hickenlooper saying state should take responsibility)
@1:02:00 update on $1.3M - videos with Hickenlooper saying monetary assistance in real-time. 3 months to submit claims, now their restitution lumped in with insurance litigation
@1:02:50 How You Can Help Protect Yourselves and Help Us
@1:05:00 Beth Semptimphelter
@1:07:45 Jack, resident of Kuehster Rd - info on fire dispatch, Cheri Gerou added a few comments
@1:09:00 Commissioner Don Rosier - 911 System & Sheriff update

@1:17:00 Tom Scanlan wrap-up & Opening Up For Questions
Do you plan to meet with the governor?
Reiteration that the presentation is on their site and 285Bound, and to follow them on their other social media sites to stay up-to-date and please let more people know what's going on
1:19:00 Representative of Student body - how can students help?
1:22:00 How was commission chosen? Cheri Gerou answered
1:23:35 Evergreen fire station burn building opposition wants to partner/help
1:25:30 Suggestion to organize an ongoing test of the 911 system
1:26:00 Do we have a list of the names of everyone on the commission?
1:27:00 Initial cost of burn versus other estimated cost of mitigating that was twice the cost. Expanded explanation of use for masticated fuels.
1:28:35 Is there a website where the public can look for scheduled location and date of prescribed burns? No. Cheri Gerou will look into
1:30:30 Comment to get all the facts about Evergreen burn building before taking sides
1:31:00 Beth Semptimphelter commented about change that local fire dept chief has final say
1:32:30 Bruce Ellis provided website and social media site info

Want to help? Please fill out these cards and mail them back to each individual whose name and address is listed below. If they get inundated with these, they know that we are behind our neighbors 100% and we won't let them bury this issue until they've received the support they deserve. There are 3 pieces of legislation that will be addressed when Congress comes back into session in January that will affect us all, so we have a small window of opportunity to make a difference, and they need to know that we are watching and waiting.

There was also a petition going around at the meeting - will you guys be available anywhere that more people can sign it, for example outside King Soopers, or at the Christmas in Conifer events? If not, can I grab a couple of those clipboards and put them at the 285Bound booth (you are more than welcome to hang out with me!!!)? :thumbsup:

Something that was brought up at the meeting that you may not realize yet: several homeowners in our community have had their insurance policies come up for renewal and were told that they will not be insured unless they clear at least 250 ft of defensible space around their homes - THIS WILL AFFECT ALL OF YOU AT SOME POINT! Because of this fire, and the litigation that is pending, and the state's unwillingness to do the right thing, it's going to continue to hurt those who live in the mountains. It's $130 per tree times however many trees you have around your home within 250' - think about that...

Their story could easily become your story - fires happen all the time, and prescribed burns are big business - they do not intend to put a stop to them. And if they're going to shirk their responsibility with this one, you can bet they will with the next one too, unless we keep holding their feet to the fire.

Please help. Thank you!

To:
The Honorable Jared Polis
501 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

To:
The Honorable Mark Udall
Hart Senate Office Building, Suite SH328
Washington, DC 20510

To:
Commission for the Lower North Fork Fire
State of Colorado
136 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203-1792

To:
Governor John Hickenlooper
State of Colorado
136 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203-1792

To:
Senator Bill Cadman
PO Box 76588
Colorado Springs, CO 80970