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inciweb: US Forest Service fire updates (wildfires)

Daily Video Briefings on Lake Christine Fire

7/23/2018

 

The Type 2 Incident Management Team is doing a great job keeping all of us in-the-loop with daily information about the Lake Christine fire.

               Please check in by  CLICKING HERE  for the latest updates from the team. 

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Lake Christine Fire Grows - Temporary Flight Restrictions in Aspen Airspace Expanded

7/19/2018

 
(Aspen, CO) The Lake Christine fire is now moving in a northeasterly direction in the vicinity of Basalt Mountain. Increased aerial fire attacks have been ordered to help maintain containment of the blaze.


Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), that have been in effect since the fire broke out July 3rd, remain in place. Because of the need for increased aerial fire attacks the TFR, which was scaled back as the fire became more contained, will be fully expanded again beginning tomorrow at 9 a.m. and continue through 9 p.m. daily until further notice. 


Commercial flight arrivals and some departures are expected to be impacted. While some flights may be allowed to arrive and depart from the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, schedules will be less predictable as airspace is made available for the aerial fire attack. 


Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the most up-to-date flight information or go to www.aspenairport.com for arrival and departure information. 


The TFR will remain in effect until further notice. 


“While we are aware of the inconvenience the TFR is causing travelers, our top priority is honoring the TFR and the fire-fighting effort in our community,” said Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Director,  John Kinney. 


Updates will be posted on the Airport Facebook (Facebook.com/flyaspensnowmass) and Twitter (@FlyAspenAirport pages. 

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Lake Christine Fire Burning Heavy Timber

7/19/2018

 

The Aspen Times did a good job reporting on the Lake Christine fire today. Please read Scott Condon's article by CLICKING HERE

Photo by Pitkin County's Ann Driggers below taken in the earlier days of the blaze. 

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Lake Christine Fire - Recovery

7/13/2018

 
Please check out the Lake Christine Fire Public Health Information Website by clicking the link below:
FIRE RECOVERY PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION

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Lake Christine Fire Recovery Phase - Public Health Information for Returning Evacuees

7/10/2018

 
The Lake Christine fire in Basalt/El Jebel/Missouri Heights is expected to reach 45% containment by the end of the day - weather permitting.

​As we enter the "recovery phase" of this incident please refer to this useful Public Health information regarding food and water safety, things you need to know about returning home after evacuation, etc.
                                                                                                 CLICK HERE 

Prepare for Possible Power Outage

7/5/2018

 



​Lake Christine Fire Updates
https://www.facebook.com/EagleCountySO/
http://www.eaglecounty.us/Sheriff/

Questions about the fire? Call 970-510-0705

​7/5/2018 5:00 p.m.

Potential For Extended Power Outage Update

Residents and visitors in the upper Roaring Fork Valley between El Jebel and Aspen are asked to prepare for a power outage of up to 72 hours should utility lines serving these areas succumb to the Lake Christine wildfire.

During and extended power outage, essential Pitkin County Services including 
Sheriff's Office, Public Health, Economic Assistance, Adult and Family Services, and Clerk and Recorder will be located at the Pitkin County Courthouse. 

                                                             
Here's What You Can Do Now to Prepare

  • Sign up for Pitkin Alert BEFORE you need it! This is the way we will alert you in an emergency. 

  • Do what you can to maintain power on your electronic devices including cell phone, lap top, etc. Backup battery sources or solar chargers are recommended. This will keep you connected to information we want to share with you. 

  • Should an extended power outage occur, updates will be posted on the Pitkin Emergency website at www.pitkinemergency.org and shared on the Pitkin County Facebook and Twitter pages. 


Power Outage Preparedness
https://www.ready.gov/power-outages

Highway Travel Information/Road Conditions
http://www.cotrip.org/home.htm

Airport Travel Information
http://aspenairport.com/

Aspen Valley Hospital Information
https://www.aspenvalleyhospital.org/





Lake Christine Fire in Basalt, Colorado

7/4/2018

 
For updates on the Lake Christine fire in Basalt, Colorado please refer to the Eagle County Sheriff's Office Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EagleCountySO/. All updates will be posted there:
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SHERIFF IMPLEMENTS STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN PITKIN COUNTY

6/29/2018

 
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Pitkin County, Colorado – June 28, 2018 – Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo, in cooperation with the Pitkin County Fire Chiefs and officials from the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, is implementing Stage II fire restrictions effective 12:00 a.m. (midnight) Saturday, June 29, 2018. The new fire restrictions are in effect until further notice and cover all State, public, private, incorporated and unincorporated lands within Pitkin County. Land management officials from USFS - White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management are implementing their own, concurrent Stage II fire restrictions along with Pitkin County. These new Stage II fire restrictions supersede the existing Stage I fire restrictions that have been in place since June 12, 2018.
 
“Fire restrictions are implemented to reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of high to extreme fire danger,” said Sheriff DiSalvo Thursday evening. “We use data to guide us in making these decisions, and don’t take lightly the impact the restrictions have on our community. However, the impacts of inaction on our part are far greater and we must do everything we can to deter and prevent fires in Pitkin County.”
 
“The health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Pitkin County require that the use of open fires, equipment, and explosives be regulated in order to prevent wildfires under existing conditions.” Scott Thompson, Basalt/Snowmass Fire Chief.
 
All residents and visitors who violate these fire restrictions will face penalties which may include fines and possible jail time.

The Stage II fire restrictions shall apply to all people within Pitkin County for the following activities:
 
  1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. This includes charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves and includes use in developed camping and picnic grounds.*
 
*Gas grills/stoves/lanterns using pressurized liquid or gas that include shut-off valves are permitted when used in an area at least three feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles.
 
  • All smoking. EXCEPT within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building.
 
  • Use of any fireworks including sparklers, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiaries.
 
  • Using an explosive. This includes but is not limited to fuses or blasting caps.
 
  • Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame with a current permit, contract or letter of authorization.
 
  • Operating or using any internal combustion engine (e.g. chainsaw, generator, ATV) without an approved spark arresting device properly installed and in effective working order meeting either:
 
  • Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or
 
  • Appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a).
 
  • Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark arresting device properly installed and in effective working order, and chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (8 oz. capacity by weight or larger and kept with the operator) and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches that is readily available for use.
 
The public is encouraged to visit www.pitkinemergency.com for more information about current fire restrictions.

For media inquiries contact:
Alex Burchetta
Operations Commander, Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office
alex.burchetta@pitkinsheriff.com
(970) 920-5300

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​Aspen, CO 81611

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