Tuesday, July 30, 2013

La Plata County Lifts Fire Restrictions for private land within the County

Upon the recommendation of Sheriff Duke Schirard and the local Fire Chiefs, the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners lifted the Stage I fire restrictions today in La Plata County, which includes all private lands in the unincorporated areas of La Plata County, excluding those private lands in the town of Bayfield, Ignacio, Durango or any Federal or Tribal lands.  The fire restrictions were originally enacted to mitigate the high degree of fire danger that existed in La Plata County due to a lack of precipitation and extremely dry conditions. 

Although the fire restrictions have been lifted, residents must obtain a permit from their local fire department when they plan to burn (with two exceptions, see below).  Permits can be obtained from the below fire departments:

•             Durango Fire and Rescue Authority (for properties in the Animas valley corridor from the north county line to New Mexico), visit http://www.durangofirerescue.org/prevention.html  to fill out the online permit, or call 382-6023.
•             Upper Pine Fire Protection District (for properties east of Bayfield north to Vallecito), call 884-9508;
•             Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District (for properties in west La Plata County surrounding Hesperus to the Colorado/New Mexico state line on Highway 140), call 238-0115; or
•             Los Pinos Fire Protection District (for properties in the southeast corner of La Plata County and surrounding Ignacio), call 563-9501.

Immediately prior to any burn, residents should call Dispatch at 385-2900 (or 563-4401 for residents near Ignacio) so dispatchers will be able to relay information about the burn being conducted.  Burn permits are not required for agricultural burns on land designated as agricultural by the Assessor’s Office. There is also no permit required for recreation fires which are defined as “an outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes."   A 25 - foot setback from structures is required for recreational fires.


Although the fire restrictions have been lifted, residents are still urged to exercise caution when burning.

For information on fires on federal land go to: http://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan

Monday, July 29, 2013

FLASH FLOOD WATCH for #LaPlataCo through 9PM for heavy rain on saturated ground

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
741 AM MDT MON JUL 29 2013

COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-292130-
/O.CON.KGJT.FF.A.0005.130729T1500Z-130730T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
LOWER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN-
ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS-ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS-
UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN-GRAND VALLEY-DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR-
CENTRAL COLORADO RIVER BASIN-GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS-
GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN VALLEYS-
CENTRAL GUNNISON AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN-
WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS-FLATTOPS-
UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY-UNCOMPAHGRE PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE-
NORTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-
PARADOX VALLEY/LOWER DOLORES RIVER-
FOUR CORNERS/UPPER DOLORES RIVER-ANIMAS RIVER BASIN-
SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN-SOUTHEAST UTAH-EASTERN UINTA MOUNTAINS-
EASTERN UINTA BASIN-TAVAPUTS PLATEAU-ARCHES/GRAND FLAT-
LA SAL AND ABAJO MOUNTAINS-CANYONLANDS/NATURAL BRIDGES-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...RANGELY...DINOSAUR...CRAIG...HAYDEN...
MEEKER...RIO BLANCO...COLUMBINE...TOPONAS...
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS AND VICINITY...GRAND JUNCTION...FRUITA...
PALISADE...RIFLE...SILT...PARACHUTE...MESA...GLENWOOD SPRINGS...
EAGLE...CARBONDALE...SKYWAY...ASPEN...VAIL...SNOWMASS...
CEDAREDGE...DELTA...HOTCHKISS...MONTROSE...CRESTED BUTTE...
TAYLOR PARK...MARBLE...BUFORD...TRAPPERS LAKE...GUNNISON...
CIMARRON...RIDGWAY...GLADE PARK...OURAY...TELLURIDE...LAKE CITY...
SILVERTON...RICO...HESPERUS...GATEWAY...NUCLA...CORTEZ...
DOVE CREEK...MANCOS...DURANGO...BAYFIELD...IGNACIO...
PAGOSA SPRINGS AND VICINITY...BLANDING...BLUFF...MEXICAN HAT...
MANILA...DUTCH JOHN...VERNAL...JENSEN...BALLARD...FORT DUCHESNE...
RANDLETT...MOAB...CASTLE VALLEY...THOMPSON SPRINGS...
MONTICELLO AND VICINITY
741 AM MDT MON JUL 29 2013

..FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF COLORADO AND UTAH...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING
  AREAS...IN COLORADO...ANIMAS RIVER BASIN...CENTRAL COLORADO
  RIVER BASIN...CENTRAL GUNNISON AND UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BASIN...
  CENTRAL YAMPA RIVER BASIN...DEBEQUE TO SILT CORRIDOR...
  ELKHEAD AND PARK MOUNTAINS...FLATTOPS...FOUR CORNERS/UPPER
  DOLORES RIVER...GORE AND ELK MOUNTAINS/CENTRAL MOUNTAIN
  VALLEYS...GRAND VALLEY...GRAND AND BATTLEMENT MESAS...LOWER
  YAMPA RIVER BASIN...NORTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS...PARADOX
  VALLEY/LOWER DOLORES RIVER...ROAN AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAUS...SAN
  JUAN RIVER BASIN...SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS...UNCOMPAHGRE
  PLATEAU AND DALLAS DIVIDE...UPPER GUNNISON RIVER VALLEY...
  UPPER YAMPA RIVER BASIN AND WEST ELK AND SAWATCH MOUNTAINS. IN
  UTAH...ARCHES/GRAND FLAT...CANYONLANDS/NATURAL BRIDGES...
  EASTERN UINTA BASIN...EASTERN UINTA MOUNTAINS...LA SAL AND
  ABAJO MOUNTAINS...SOUTHEAST UTAH AND TAVAPUTS PLATEAU.

* THROUGH THIS EVENING

* WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS...PRODUCING LOCALLY HEAVY
  RAINFALL...WILL DEVELOP TODAY AND CONTINUE THROUGH THIS EVENING.
  DUE TO THE RECENT RAINFALL...MANY AREAS HAVE BECOME SATURATED
  AND ANY ADDITIONAL RAINFALL WILL QUICKLY RUN OFF...LEADING TO
  THE POTENTIAL FOR FLASH FLOODING.

* RECENT BURN SCARS...STEEP TERRAIN...AND NORMALLY DRY WASHES
  WILL ALL NEED TO BE MONITORED CLOSELY AS THE STRONG STORMS
  PASS THROUGH ON MONDAY. MUDSLIDES...DEBRIS FLOWS IN BURN SCAR
  AREAS AND SUDDEN INCREASES IN WATER FLOWS MAY OCCUR. BE
  PREPARED TO SEEK HIGHER GROUND AT A MOMENTS NOTICE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

&&

$$





www.weather.gov/



--
Tom McNamara

Friday, July 26, 2013

FLASH FLOOD WATCH issued for San Juan Mountains for Heavy Rain on Saturday

Effective Saturday afternoon through Saturday Evening

Date: Fri, Jul 26, 2013 at 3:35 PM
Subject: DENFFAGJT
To:


WGUS65 KGJT 262135
FFAGJT

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
335 PM MDT FRI JUL 26 2013

COZ019-270600-
/O.NEW.KGJT.FF.A.0004.130727T2000Z-130728T0400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...SILVERTON...RICO...HESPERUS
335 PM MDT FRI JUL 26 2013

..FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SATURDAY EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF SOUTHWEST COLORADO...
  INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREA...SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS.

* FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING

* HEAVY RAIN IS EXPECTED WITH SHOWERS AND STORMS BEGINNING
  SATURDAY AFTERNOON OVER THE WEST FORK COMPLEX AREA AND BURN
  SCARS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

* WITH EXPOSED SOIL AND LIMITED VEGETATION LEFT IN THIS AREA...ANY
  RAIN THAT FALLS OVER THE BURN SCAR MAY CAUSE WASHOUTS AND
  MUDSLIDES QUICKLY WITH LITTLE WARNING

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

&&

$$

JM





www.weather.gov/



--
Tom McNamara

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Wireless Emergency Alerts - the loud buzz many of us received on our cell phone last week

Many people in La Plata County were woken up early one morning by a loud buzzing on our cell phone. When we looked we found an Emergency Alert for an Amber Alert issued in Greenwood, CO.

This was not issued by La Plata County - it was issued when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received and distributed the alert over our whole state, and maybe further through the WEA system.

The alert is issued through what is called the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) managed through the FCC. All new phones are required to have the system included in their operating system and cell providers have been required to participate beginning this year.

Back in the cold war days the Emergency Alert System was designed to allow presidential messages ("we're under attack!") to be broadcast across the country quickly. TV and Radio stations had black boxes that received the messages and operators/DJ's etc would convey the information. 

Over time other alerts like for tornadoes, hurricanes and amber alerts piggybacked on the system to alert targeted areas of the population. Over time, the system has become archaic and doesn't work as well anymore with how TV and Radio operate. SatelliteTV, CableTV, Internet streaming, Satellite radio and central radio broadcasting have taken over. Your local broadcast may be coming from Dallas or Nashville and our TV in Durango, CO comes from Albuquerque. NM. The system was designed to compliment (or take over from)  the old tickertape on the TV and alerts on the radio. The FCC realized that most people have cell phones and devised a way to target messages geographically based on tower locations and cell info.

The great advantage is that the system is targeted geographically (Amber Alerts and Presidential Alerts are broad based). Soon, we will be able to tie our Reverse-911 system to the WEA so we can include people who don't have land line phones or who are from out of the area. It would be great to send an alert across land lines and cell phones simultaneously to residents and tourists. 

Think about a flash flood affecting a campground along a creek. Today there is no way to alert visitors other than in person, which takes time. 

We, La Plata County OEM, have not used the system for a local emergency yet, but I'm sure we will.  If you want to learn more, check out your cell provider website and search for wireless emergency alerts. 

The system will sent three types of alerts:
  1. Presidential Alert
  2. Amber Alert
  3. Alerts involving imminent threats to safety or life
We will focus on imminent threats, those that are immediate, sudden and will cause loss of life if you are not prepared for it. What could that be in La Plata County?
  1. Immediate Evacuation such as from a wildfire or flood
  2. Imminent flash flood
  3. Hazardous material release, potential explosion etc.
  4. Terrorist type activity
  5. Dam break
  6. Tornado (yes we can have them here) 
There is the ability to turn off all but Presidential Alerts. Please don't turn them off. Yes the sound can be annoying, that is the point. The alerts are only used in a dire circumstance. This is only the second time I have seen an alert since the program became active, both were Amber Alerts from the front range.  I would hope that residents here would want to get the Amber Alert if it were a member of our community. I would also hope that you would want to get a Tornado Warning driving across Texas, or a Flash Flood Alert in Vallecito. This is a case where Big Brother is really watching out for us!

To Learn more:

La Plata County Implements Stage II Fire Restrictions July 9, 2013

 http://co.laplata.co.us/notices/2013/06/la_plata_county_commissioners_enact_stage_ii_fire_restrictions                                                                                                                     

La Plata County Commissioners Enact Stage II Fire Restrictions

Durango, COLa Plata County continues to experience above-average temperatures, dry winds, low humidity, and little rain.  As a result of these conditions, La Plata County now has extremely dry conditions that can provide explosive fire growth and behavior.  The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners today enacted Stage II fire restrictions effective immediately in the unincorporated areas of La Plata County and upon all lands owned by La Plata County excluding those private lands in the Towns of Bayfield and Ignacio, the City of Durango, or any Federal or Tribal lands. 

“All standing and ground fuels have continued to dry and are now brown in many areas of the County which increases the potential for the ignition of a wildfire,” explained Butch Knowlton, Emergency Management Director.  “It’s so important for everyone to be responsible and adhere to these restrictions, because one spark could lead to disaster.” 

Stage II fire restrictions build on the Stage I restrictions and prohibit the following activities:

  • Open burning, burn barrels and agricultural burning.
  • Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, stove fire, including but not limited to charcoal grills, coal or wood burning stoves, or sheepherder’s stoves, unless the specific device uses pressurized liquid or gas, includes a shut-off valve, and is used in areas that are barren or cleared of all flammable materials at least three feet on all sides of the specific device.
  • Smoking, unless within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, or building.
  • Welding, pipefitting, metal grinding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame unless within areas that are barren or cleared of all flammable materials at least ten feet on all sides, and in addition to the equipment operator, a second person equipped with a fire extinguisher and shovel readily available is on-site to watch for fires.
  • Operating a chainsaw, unless a fire extinguisher is in the operator’s immediate vicinity and a shovel is with fueling supplies and is readily available (further restrictions for all internal combustion engines, including chainsaws, are contained in subsection below).
  • Operating or using any internal combustion engine, including but not limited to chainsaws or generators, unless equipped with a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order meeting either Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a or Society of Automotive Engineers recommended practice J335(b) and J350 (a). 
  • Using an explosive, including but not limited to fireworks, blasting caps, or any other incendiary device.
  • Flaring for oil and gas production wells and production facilities.
The restrictions do provide flexibility to Sheriff Duke Schirard and the Chiefs of the local fire districts to ease restrictions within their respective jurisdictions if they deem such actions to be safe, appropriate and prudent in their professional opinions.

The fire restrictions were enacted by the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners upon the recommendation of the Sheriff and the Chiefs of the local fire districts.  A violation of the fire restrictions shall constitute a class 2 petty offense punishable by a fine of up to $300 for each violation. 

There are four fire districts within La Plata County serving specific areas of the County.  For specific information about the fire restrictions, individuals should visit the County’s website at http://co.laplata.co.us/emergency/2013/06/fire_restrictions or contact their local fire department:

·         Durango Fire and Rescue Authority (for properties in the Animas valley corridor from the north county line to New Mexico), call 382-6000;
·         Upper Pine Fire Protection District (for properties east of Bayfield north to Vallecito), call
884-9508;
·         Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District (for properties in west La Plata County surrounding Hesperus to the Colorado/New Mexico state line on Highway 140), call 238-0115; or
·         Los Pinos Fire Protection District (for properties in the southeast corner of La Plata County and surrounding Ignacio), please call 563-9501.

The La Plata County fire response agencies will continue to monitor the situation and if the conditions continue to deteriorate, a more restrictive fire ban may be developed.  The fire restrictions will remain in effect until such time as the threat of fire danger in La Plata County has reduced significantly, as determined by the Sheriff and the Chiefs of the local fire districts.



###

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN LA PLATA AND SOUTHERN MONTEZUMA COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM MDT

WWUS85 KGJT 022148
SPSGJT

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
348 PM MDT TUE JUL 2 2013

COZ021-022-022230-
ANIMAS RIVER BASIN CO-FOUR CORNERS/UPPER DOLORES RIVER CO-
348 PM MDT TUE JUL 2 2013

..SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN LA PLATA AND SOUTHERN MONTEZUMA COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM MDT...

AT 348 PM MDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A STRONG THUNDERSTORM 12 MILES SOUTHWEST OF MANCOS...OR 30 MILES WEST OF DURANGO...MOVING SOUTH AT 40 MPH.

HAIL UP TO ONE-HALF INCH IN DIAMETER AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE...
MESA VERDE NATL PA...

LAT...LON 3733 10849 3732 10830 3722 10829 3722 10831
3721 10829 3699 10828 3699 10855

$$

JM




www.weather.gov/

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING ISSUED FOR #LAPLATACO until 3:30 PM

WUUS55 KGJT 022038
SVRGJT
COC067-022130-
/O.NEW.KGJT.SV.W.0001.130702T2038Z-130702T2130Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
238 PM MDT TUE JUL 2 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND JUNCTION HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
SOUTHWESTERN LA PLATA COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST COLORADO...

* UNTIL 330 PM MDT

* AT 236 PM MDT...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 16 MILES
NORTHWEST OF CEDAR HILL...AND MOVING SOUTH AT 15 MPH.

HAZARD...QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND 60 MPH WIND GUSTS.

SOURCE...RADAR INDICATED.

IMPACT...HAIL DAMAGE TO VEHICLES IS EXPECTED. EXPECT WIND DAMAGE TO
ROOFS...SIDING AND TREES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
REDMESA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.

&&

LAT...LON 3728 10817 3726 10796 3699 10800 3699 10826
3700 10827
TIME...MOT...LOC 2038Z 006DEG 13KT 3710 10809

HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH

$$

JM




www.weather.gov/

Monday, July 1, 2013

From USFS Dispatch - Firefighters Responding Daily to Dozens of New Starts

 

DURANGO INTERAGENCY FIRE DISPATCH

U.S. Forest Service w Bureau of Land Management w National Park Service w Bureau of Indian Affairs w Colorado State Forest Service

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 1, 2013

Firefighters Responding Daily to Dozens of New Starts

 

DURANGO – Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch reports that firefighters continue to respond daily to dozens of smoke reports on public lands.  Most fires have been determined to be the result of lightning strikes and have been contained and/or controlled to single-tree fires of less than 1/10th of an acre; however, at least two are believed to have been human caused.  Below is an update of some of the recent wildfire activity and firefighter response on public lands in the area (in no particular order).

 

·         The Fawn Gulch Fire on the San Juan National Forest Pagosa Ranger District has been controlled. 

·         The Deadwood Fire on the San Juan National Forest Columbine Ranger District in La Plata Canyon has been contained.  This fire is believed to be human caused and is under investigation.

·         The Ridge Fire on Missionary Ridge on the San Juan National Forest Columbine Ranger District has been contained.

·         The Dove Creek Fire in BLM Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is expected to be contained later today at 30 acres. 

·         Four small wildfires on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation have been contained and controlled.

·         The Ruby Fire on BLM land on a ridge between Morrison Canyon and Goodman Canyon is expected to be contained later today.

·         A fire reported late yesterday at the BLM Bradfield Campground on the Dolores River has been controlled and contained. This fire is believed to be human caused and is under investigation.

·         The Woods Canyon Fire in BLM Canyons of the Ancients National Monument was contained yesterday.

·         Firefighters are responding this afternoon to reports of smoke near Alberta Peak on the San Juan National Forest Pagosa Ranger District south of Wolf Creek Ski Area.

·         Firefighters are on scene at the Cottonwood Fire 10 miles on the San Juan National Forest northwest of Pagosa Springs.

·         Firefighters are responding to two new reports of lightning strikes this afternoon on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

·         Firefighters this afternoon contained the Junction Fire on private land north of Pagosa Junction.

 

To report a fire on public lands, please contact the Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 970 385-1324 or call 911.

 

Ann H. Bond

Public Affairs Specialist

SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST