Four Mile Canyon Fire Scanner Updates

I missed the briefing somehow but from Pinecam here is the latest:

Thursday Morning Update: Fire now stated to be 30% contained

No missing people all reported missing parties have been accounted for.

Air operations are beginning for the day.

If you do go into the areas where the restrictions have been lifted, Sheriff's are saying you should only go in and get what you need because of the danger of the wildfire and that these areas do not have any utilities at this time.

OEM Update:

12:33 p.m. - Sept. 9, 2010
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office has updated the list of structures that have been destroyed by the Fourmile Canyon wildfire. This list is subject to change. The list now stands at 172 structures destroyed, 169 of those residences, and 25 damaged structures. http://www.bouldercounty.org/newsroom/t ... 4&zoneid=1

Note that the OEM status page has moved to http://www.boulderoem.com/emergency-status

OEM Update:

12:56 p.m. - Sept. 9, 2010
Because of worsening weather predictions that have increased the potential for high winds and more active fire behavior this afternoon, Boulder County officials are rescinding the prior decision to open certain neighborhoods in the evacuation area.



At 10 a.m. today, certain communities within the evacuation area were opened to allow residents to gather what they need from their homes and be prepared to evacuate again. Those areas will now be closed as of 12:30 p.m., and all residents who entered those areas are asked to leave under a mandatory evacuation order as of 2 p.m. today.



The areas include:



Boulder Heights
Pine Brook Hills
Carriage Hills
Olde Stage Road
Lee Hill Drive


Additionally, the openings of Lefthand Canyon Drive, Sunshine Canyon Drive, Fourmile Canyon Drive and Sugarloaf Road that were tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m. today have been cancelled. Residents should not attempt to return to their homes if they live along any of those roads.

InciWeb update 11 minutes ago:

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Monday September 06th, 2010 approx. 10:00 AM
Location 5 miles west of downtown Boulder
Incident Commander Todd Richardson

Current Situation
Total Personnel 550
Size 6,365 acres
Percent Contained 30%
Fuels Involved 10 Timber (litter and understory) Heavy dead and down with bug mortality in Douglas-fir.

Fire Behavior Fire activity diminished yesterday due to higher humidity, cooler temperatures, and light precipitation. Today fire activity is expected to increase with a Red Flag warning in effect beginning at 3:00 pm.

Significant Events 20 subdivisions west of Boulder have been evacuated and 3 major County Roads closed. Residents in Boulder Heights, Carriage Hills, and Pine Brook Hills subdivisions will be allowed in to their homes today from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm to take care of needs they may have.


Outlook
Planned Actions Structure protection and damage assessment is ongoing. Line construction will continue on the northeast flank and interior to the fire in preparation for this afternoon's wind event.

Growth Potential High

Terrain Difficulty Extreme

Remarks Transition from Type 2 Incident Management Team to Type 1 Incident Management Team will occur today at 1800.


Current Weather
Wind Conditions 10-17 mph SW
Temperature 75 degrees
Humidity 21%

OEM Update:

2:16 p.m. - Sept. 9, 2010
The emergency shelter at the Boulder YMCA, 2850 Mapleton Ave., remains open to all residents evacuated by the Fourmile Canyon wildfire. The shelter is open indefinitely.

OEM Update:

3:21 p.m. - Sept. 9, 2010
City of Boulder takes precautions in advance of high winds; urges residents to remain vigilant and prepare for possible evacuations.



Forecasters are calling for wind gusts as high as 50 mph starting after about 6 p.m. today, Thursday, Sept. 9, and lasting into early morning hours. The City of Boulder is taking several measures to help protect residents and structures should these winds push the Fourmile Canyon wildfire into the city limits.



http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.ph ... temid=4264

Excellent advice in the above link!

Per InciWeb:

Fire Area Closures & Evacuations
Incident: Fourmile Canyon Fire Wildfire
Released: 4 hrs. ago

There are a number of evacuations and closures related to the Fourmile Canyon Fire. Please see the following below.

Evacuations: 20 subdivisions west of Boulder

Closures:

Schools: Gold Hill and Jamestown Elementary

Roads: Four Mile Canyon, Sugarloaf Road, Left Hand Canyon Drive between Lee Hill and Lick Skillet

Forest Area: The U.S. Forest Service has closed a portion of the Boulder Ranger District.

·News Release: http://go.usa.gov/xCr

·Closure Order: http://go.usa.gov/xC4

·Closure Map: http://go.usa.gov/xC2

Per OEM:

4:30 p.m. - Sept. 9, 2010
An updated map of the burn area and evacuation perimeter is posted online: http://www.bouldercounty.org/bocc/FourM ... imeter.pdf

3:51 p.m. - Sept. 9, 2010
The Humane Society of Boulder Valley is continuing to open its doors to provide temporary shelter for dogs, cats and small mammals displaced from their homes due to the Fourmile Canyon wildfire.



Please check http://www.boulderhumane.org/wildfire for updates and changes.