Gold Hill, Colorado

Red Flag Warning

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
855 PM MDT Wed May 11 2022

...Critical Fire Weather Conditions for most of North Central and
Northeast Colorado on Thursday...

COZ215-121100-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0025.220512T1500Z-220513T0300Z/
Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet-
855 PM MDT Wed May 11 2022

...RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM MDT THURSDAY
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHERN FRONT RANGE
FOOTHILLS...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zone 215.

* Timing...Red Flag Warning from 9 am to 9 pm Thursday

* Winds...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 16 percent.

* Impacts...Any fire that starts will have the potential to
  spread rapidly. Avoid burning or any outdoor activity that may
  produce a spark and start a wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Let’s talk Mitigation – Second Tuesdays of the Month- Zoom

  GOLD HILL TOWN MEETING NEWSLETTER

Minutes of the April 11, 2022, Zoom Town Meeting

Next Town Meeting is Monday, June 13, 7:00 p.m.

 The meeting was called to order by Chair Emma Dirolf.  Twenty-two people attended by Zoom: Chair Emma Dirolf, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, Heidi Kessler and Richard Roth, Peter Swift, Member at Large Dan Maedke and Chrissy, Virginia Schultz, Emily Rose, Val Crist, Deb Yeager, Don and Marie Brookhart, Leslie Finn, Rick Sheingold, Bear Carlson, Lacey Storey, Pam Sherman, plus Maya MacHamer, Erin Fried, and Nathanial Groeckner of Boulder Watershed Collective (https://www.boulderwatershedcollective.com/gold-hill-project), as well as Josh Trickey from Boulder County Public Works.

Minutes – The minutes of the December 13 GHTM and the notes from the unofficial (no quorum of the Town Council) February 14 meeting were approved as published.

Treasurer’s Report – no report

Boulder County Speed Study – Josh Trickey presented the data from the Gold Hill Speed Study from last summer. 

Presentation_GoldHill_InformationalMeeting_20220407

He reported that the study is not complete because the County is working on new speed management plans and no new traffic calming projects will be approved until their new management plan is approved.  Our speed study was conducted in July and August 2021, with speeds recorded at several locations.  Between 2014 – 2019 there was only one recorded crash, no injuries, none involving bikes or pedestrians, none speeding related.  It looks like our speed limits should stay the same, as the majority were clocked at 15-17 mph.    

     Peter reported that he has sent a letter to Josh saying that his evaluation of the speed distribution quoted in the study shows a greater need for traffic calming than the study indicates (see Peter’s letter attached). The speeds shown in the County’s distribution map ranged from 12 mph to 40 mph and he quoted a study saying that 90% of people hit by a vehicle at 36 mph die.  He requested that we should meet to discuss traffic calming possibilities and potential locations before the final report is approved, but no agreement was reached since Josh doesn’t know until the County Speed Management Plan is complete what kinds of management plans will be included.

     There was also a discussion on the classifications for different roads/different uses/local access roads, arterials and connector roads, and whether they should be reclassified or if it would make a difference.

     The question arose of the time frame for carrying out final plans and Josh estimated 2 or more years depending on funding.

     Chrissy asked about the locations of speed limit signs since the speed limit in town is 15 mph, but there is a 20 mph sign right in front of her house and Josh replied that the 15mph signs will be extended in both directions soon.

     Peter agreed to be the contact person for the County.  Any questions or suggestions, email Peter at  phswi@nullaol.com

Boulder Watershed Collective – Maya reports that no mitigation work is happening yet this year – there is a delay with the contractor finishing another project.  Hopefully the Ashram will be well underway in June and July.  All the work done last year by the students is available on their website  www.boulderwatershedcollective.org  Look under projects for our information.

     Erin reported that she and Nate attended the Gold Hill School last week in support of their three goals: 1. Support forest health, 2. Monitor wild life and birds, 3. Host community conversations and hikes.

     Nate reported that they found 30 species of birds.  They have lots of great pictures and also dropped off a copy of the wildlife and bird study at the Gold Hill Store.  Dark Eyed Juncos are the most numerous.  Maya added that the reason for the wildlife monitoring is to see if the forest wildfire mitigation improves wildlife habitat.

     Erin will be hosting a community conversation with a list of action items at the May 7 Mountain Stewards event.

     Gretchen added that they’ve done amazing work and thank you so much.

Mountain Stewards – Virginia also thanked Maya, Erin and all. May 7 is National Wildfire Preparedness Day and we are are having a Gold Hill Day of events with funds from a grant from the Community Foundation.  The GH Store will be providing free burritos and coffee  plus information tables.  Sign up for burritos and tours –Gold Hill Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Tickets, Sat, May 7, 2022 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite .  Then there will be a tours at 10 and 11 to see what mitigation measures look like, as well as home hardening.

     There will be dumpsters for slash on May 7 & 8.  AND help is needed for monitoring and loading them.

     Julian from the Boulder Watershed Collective is visiting properties to measure for home perimeter that may benefit from grant funding.

          Contact Virginia   virginia.schultz@nullcolorado.edu  with questions.

Gold Hill School – Chrissy reports that they are alive and well!  Erin and Nate from the Boulder Watershed Collective came to the school and made a presentation.  The kids were really psyched to see the pictures of our local wildlife.  Pam has been coming weekly to teach about permaculture and help with the greenhouse.  Val has been visiting and reading. They are so happy to be able to open their doors again and encourage people to stop by. 

     They will have a read-a-thon the last week in April and the kids will be coming around asking for donations.  It’s 4 days of reading and related activities.

     They have chicks and ducks incubating and candled a duck egg to see the tiny duckling inside!

     There will be a teacher change.  Gaye Paxton is retiring and selling her house, maybe moving to Pueblo, and plans to ride her motorcycle a lot.  Possibly Jojo may be applying!

     May 26 is the last day of school.

IMA – Pam reports that she follows two main committees: 1.Communications/CenturyLink regarding battery back-up life and line installation problems.  Steve Silverman at the County has promised to help, but no progress yet.  2. Monitoring Representative Joe Neguse about preparedness, mitigation and grants for our area.  Questions or if you’d like to help with these committees: pamsher123@nullgmail.com

     Maya added that all our Congressional representatives: Joe, Senator Michael Bennett, plus Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior were in Boulder County today (the 11^th) to meet with our local Fire-Rescue Division Chief Brian Oliver and Wildfire Operations Specialist Erin
Doyl  to look at the NCAR Fire and meet at Heil Valley Ranch.  They announced Federal funds of $18 million for fire mitigation for the Front Range for 2022.  Leslie said this also came up at the BCFFA (Boulder County Fire Fighters Association) meeting today, so all the work we’ve been doing puts us in a good position for some of this funding.

Museum – Deb reports that the board met last weekend and will open Saturday, May 28 through Memorial Day.  They will go back to their 11 am to 4 pm schedule on weekends.  They could use help with some maintenance work: the fence, deck floor, and painting.  The Friends of the Museum helps.  Tentative work days are Saturday, May 21, Thursday May 26, and Friday, May 27.  Any interest in helping, please contact us.   Or, if you can work other days, we can work that out, too.

     Community Outreach will be Friday, July 1 – more information to follow.

Community Planning and Fundraising – Dan reports that in general conversation with Chrissy, they think it’s time for an event in Gold Hill again.  The Gold Rush and Bake Sale?  Maya has a potential idea, also.  The Boulder Watershed Collective is planning the race again on June 18^th.  This was the event that initiated early funds for Wildfire Mitigation.  It will start and finish at the Ranch.  They will need help with lunch, etc., and some of the money could go to the town.  Dan and Maya will be talking about these plans.  He also reminded us that he wants to step down from the Member at Large position at the election in August.

Cemetery – no report

SafeLink/NeighborLink – Deb reports that they haven’t done anything more on this for this year, but there is real concern regarding the drought/fire danger/activity in the forest.  So, reach out to your neighbors to talk preparedness.  We can get information to people regarding emergencies in addition to Reverse 9-1-1, etc.

AirLink – Pam reports that they are going strong.  Contact her or Dina Elder if you’re interested in joining the Ham Radio Group.  It’s a wonderful group.

Historic Zoning – no report, per Bear, except that we are now 2 months more historic than last meeting   :o)

Fire Department – Leslie reports that they are definitely doing the 4^th of July pancake breakfast and parade  (depending on the new variant).  She also reminded everyone to sign up for Everbridge (the County’s Reverse 9-1-1).  Go to the Office of Emergency Management  https://www.boulderoem.com

and click on Emergency Messages on the right https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612231/login  to receive messages about imminent threats and hazards by text message, email, and/or on your cell, home or work phone. 

     The BCFFA is looking to do emergency texting eventually. 

     People have asked about sirens, but unless there is voice messaging also (as in the Boulder system) people wouldn’t know what it was for or what to do.  They still, always, need volunteers.  The 131/190 refresher course will be required and courses are offered frequently.  The fence thing came up – wooden fences can act as a fuse from the forest to the house – think stone walls.  Regarding evacuations, the Police and Sheriffs generally deal with this, fire departments can help if they are not actively firefighting, and fellow citizens are the #1 way people get information.  Life safety is always our #1 priority.  Accessibility, mitigation, and helping neighbors is critical.

     Deb added a comment on landlines.  When high speed internet came to Gold Hill, we were told that we only have 4 hours of battery backup, but it’s still worth having a land line and an old plug in phone (which will work if your personal electricity is out).  Regarding officers being here during an evacuation, NeighborLink can help.  Be aware of your neighbor’s situation and give that information to the officers.

Other News – Emma reports that, like Dan, she wants to step down from the Town Council.  We will need a new Chair in August.

Calendar – Gretchen asked Chrissy to please get school kids’ artwork to the calendar committee.

They’re wonderful artists and it’s so great in the calendar!

Respectfully Submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary

Peter Swift’s letter regarding the Speed STudy

Traf study ltr

GOLD HILL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT property owners and renters are invited to

participate in WILDFIRE COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS DAY!

Saturday May 7 ,  9 a.m. to 12 noon – INFORMATION TABLES AT THE GOLD HLL STORE

FREE burritos, orange juice, and coffee! Come learn about current and upcoming local wildfire projects and sign up for weed whacking help.

 HOME HARDENING TOUR – 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Join the Colorado State Forest Service on a Home Hardening Tour. Meet behind the Gold Hill Store and walk to the property.

Please reserve your burrito and tour time here: Gold Hill Wildfire Community Preparedness Day Tickets, Sat, May 7, 2022 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite

 SLASH DUMPSTERS – Saturday May 7th and Sunday May 8th  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – 

     LOCATIONS: Top of Horsfal; Colorado Mountain Ranch parking lot; 9.1 mile marker on

Lefthand Canyon. Please only drop off slash, lumber or other burnable wood.

To make this a successful event: WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! If you are interested in volunteering please email Julien @ jubl8725@nullcolorado.edu  to sign up to greet neighbors, monitor slash dumpsters, and help with information tables.

The Peak to Peak Housing and Human Services Alliance is a gathering of representatives of human services organizations serving the Peak to Peak area of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, coming together to identify needs, expand and enhance services to the residents of the Peak to Peak community, and promote inter-agency communication.
 
https://www.p2phhs.org/

Teens, Inc. is seeking High School Students – 16 to 20 year olds to work outside on projects benefiting your community and public lands/parks throughout the Front Range.

Interested?  Learn more and apply at www.teamworkscolorado.org 

Accepting Applications through May 1

Hello Neighbors!

SAVE THE DATE for our 7^th annual Community Outreach event and cocktail party for 2022.  This year the Gold Hill museum date is Friday evening, July 1, at the museum.  More information to come!

Deb Yeager

deb@nullmountainvisions.net

From Chief Chris Finn     cfinn@nullgoldhillinn.com

To All

In order to get emergency notifications from Boulder County “Reverse 911” (Everbridge) you must understand that this is a robocall and will not follow the directions on your answering machine. Also, if you have a long greeting on your answering machine, the Reverse 911 will disconnect before the emergency information is given.  If you unblock, or set as a priority call, 303 441-1400, it might save your life.

To sign up for notifications go to www.BoulderOEM.com .

Our next 2023 GH Calendar meeting will be May 14, 10:30 am, at Boyd Brown’s house.  Come on over.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

1. Pets for a page on pets of GH – cats, dogs, other?  Particularly if you’ve lost them in the last year and would like them memorialized,  but any great pictures of loved pets will be good.
2. 4^th of July pictures
3. Wildlife pictures – we have several good ones, but any others?
4. Any additions or subtractions from the birthday page?

Red Flag Warning

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
413 AM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022

...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS THE
FOOTHILLS AND PLAINS TODAY...

COZ214>216-238>251-221815-
/O.CON.KBOU.FW.W.0017.220422T1400Z-220423T0300Z/
Central and Southeast Park County-
Larimer and Boulder Counties Between 6000 and 9000 Feet-
Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear
Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet-
Larimer County Below 6000 Feet/Northwest Weld County-
Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Northeast Weld County-Central and South Weld County-Morgan County-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-
Southeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/South Lincoln County-
Logan County-Washington County-Sedgwick County-Phillips County-
413 AM MDT Fri Apr 22 2022

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO
9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR EXTREME FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR THE
SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS AND ALL OF THE PLAINS...FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 215, 216, AND 238 THROUGH 251...

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zones 214, 215, 216, 238, 239,
  240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250 and 251.

* Timing...Winds will become strong later this morning into the
  early afternoon today, and then remain strong through the early
  evening hours. Humidities will plunge during this time as well.

* Winds...South 30 to 40 mph with gusts from 60 to 70 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 5 percent.

* Impacts...Any fire that starts will have the potential to
  spread rapidly, and would be difficult if not impossible to
  control. Avoid any and all outdoor activities that may produce
  a spark and start a fast moving and potentially destructive
  wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

We’re taking advantage of having family and friends in town for Emma’s wedding to have a big drop-in party at our house (89 Gold Trail, Gold Hill 80302) May 8. We’ll start at 10 am and go until the cows come home. The point is for everyone to come by and socialize when it’s convenient for them. All are welcome, so feel free to forward this to anyone I may have missed, or may not have current emails for.

 

We’ll have food (including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free), non-alcoholic drinks, beer, and wine. RSVP is not necessary, but it would be helpful to let us know how much to have on hand: mcmulligan@nullme.com or 303-898-0381 (text, don’t call me! If you know me, you know I do not talk on the phone).

MC

Mary Claire Mulligan

(she/her/hers)
Mulligan & Mulligan, PLLC
89 Gold Trail
Boulder, CO  80302
303-898-0381
mcmulligan@nullme.com

 

 

From: McKinney, Seth <smckinney@nullbouldercounty.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2022 8:39 PM

Subject: Red Flag Warning – NO OPEN BURNING

Good evening,

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for tomorrow, 4/17.

The event itself will take place between 1200-2000 tomorrow, but the entire County will be be under temporary Stage-2 Restrictions for the full day of the event: 0001-2400.

* Timing…Sunday, 12 PM to 8 PM.

* Winds…West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* Relative Humidity…As low as 15 percent.

* Impacts…Any fire that develops will have the potential to
spread rapidly. Outdoor burning should be avoided, as well as
any activity that may produce a spark and start a fast moving
wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now….or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds…low relative humidity…and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Although tomorrow is Easter, please don’t hesitate to reach out for any needs.

Seth McKinney

Fire Management Officer – 6561

Boulder County Sheriff’s Office

Fire Management Program

Desk (303) 441-1485

Cell (303) 548-9624

Gold Hill Wildfire Community Preparedness Day – Saturday May 7^th

9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Gold Hill General Store & Pub

FREE Burritos | Home Hardening Tour | Information Tables | Slash Dumpsters (May 7^th & 8^th)

Please register to reserve your FREE burrito and tour time:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gold-hill-wildfire-community-preparedness-day-tickets-321843531667

For Mitigation News on our projects, check out the Boulder Watershed Collective website at https://www.boulderwatershedcollective.com

Virginia

Virginia.Schultz@nullColorado.EDU

From: Webster, Kerry <kwebster@nullbouldercounty.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2022 2:56 PM
To:
Subject: Red Flag Warning – NO OPEN BURNING 4/14/22

All,

Here we are again with another Red Flag Warning in effect tomorrow from 11:00 am to 19:00. Therefore, there is no open burning Thursday 4/13/2022 starting at 0:01 to 23:59. Wind gusts may be up to 45 mph and RH is expected to be as low as 14%.

Please reach out if you have any questions!

URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
214 PM MDT Wed Apr 13 2022

…RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR SOUTHERN LINCOLN
COUNTY…FIRE WEATHER ZONE 247…
…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM MDT THURSDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST AND EAST
CENTRAL COLORADO…FIRE WEATHER ZONES 239 THROUGH 241…245
THROUGH 247…AND 249…

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from 11 AM to 7 PM MDT Thursday. The Fire Weather Watch is no
longer in effect.

Boulder And Jefferson Counties Below 6000 Feet/West Broomfield
County-
North Douglas County Below 6000 Feet/Denver/West Adams and
Arapahoe Counties/East Broomfield County-
Elbert/Central and East Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet-
Central and East Adams and Arapahoe Counties-
North and Northeast Elbert County Below 6000 Feet/North Lincoln
County-Washington County-
214 PM MDT Wed Apr 13 2022

…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM MDT THURSDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF THE PLAINS FROM
BOULDER AND DENVER EASTWARD THROUGH EAST CENTRAL COLORADO…

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from 11 AM to 7 PM MDT Thursday.

* Affected Area…Fire Weather Zones 239, 240, 241, 245, 246 and
249.

* Timing…Late morning through early evening Thursday.

* Winds…West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* Relative Humidity…As low as 14 percent.

* Impacts…Any fire that develops will have the potential to
spread rapidly. Outdoor burning should be avoided, as well as
any activity that may produce a spark and start a fast moving
wildfire.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now….or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds…low relative humidity…and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.