Gold Hill, Colorado

Report on Communications Meeting, October 20, 2020 by Zoom
The meeting was called to order by GHTM Chair Emma Dirolf, and was attended by Jerrold Krenz, Pam Sherman, Richard Roth and Heidi, Sarah O’Brien and Ben, Dina Elder, Marcus Moench and Elisabeth Caspari, Sita Stuhlmiller, Steffi Wilson, Karen Simmons, Deb Yeager, Jessie Brookhart, Joanne Cole, Dana Delaville, Jojo Morrison, Bear Carlson, Anya Brown, Danielle (on Pine St),and Gretchen Diefenderfer. I’m sure I must have missed some – let me know.
Emma opened the meeting by announcing that we want to address how we can communicate with each other most effectively in emergencies like our recent fire and evacuation, particularly if we’ve lost power. We can get information from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and our town website (gold hill town.com) and from GHTM emails when we do have power, and we have NeighborLink, our telephone/communications tree.
Deb reported on NeighborLink. It evolved after the 2010 Fourmile Fire to develop a system for contacting each other. Our Gold Hill area was divided into 4 areas, with an area contact person in each area: We now have Deb in Old Town, Gretchen in East Gold Hill, Dina west of Gold Hill, and Paul Roberts in the subdivision. Each area was divided (sort of organized themselves) into pods/neighborhood groups with a contact person. Each area contact person would contact the neighborhood group contact people, who would contact their group and report back to one of the 4 area contact people would then report in a circular fashion to each other who had been contacted or left a message. Participation is voluntary and information is confidential. We created a form that was quite involved to share any information each person was comfortable sharing with their contact person. Some groups are still functioning well, but in the absence of a recent emergency, we’ve realized that we need to reorganize and reach out to everyone again. We did a trial mock emergency test early on and it took us 20 minutes to contact everyone. When Tony Vrba became GHTM Chair, she felt too much personal information was being shared so we narrowed the document down to name, address, # of people in the household, and contact information. This system continued weakly for these years since. Recently we’ve been working to simplify the process and have put the onus of group membership and information sharing back on individuals. There is lots of information in the welcome buckets that are given to new people. But it seems to be faltering.
SafeSite consists of a list of places to go in an emergency, beginning with the School.
Dina reported that AirLink is a connection of Ham radio operators. Radio contact works when the power is out. Our team links with other mountain communities and they do weakly radio get together. We maybe should formalized/organize the pods/neighborhood groups again. Gretchen added that that’s how our trial run was completed in 20 minutes. Emma added that practicing is a really good idea.
We post on the town website and need an Emergency Information section (I’ve added this now) to include how to find OEM, how to sign up for Everbridge (reverse 9-1-1), etc. Possibly a map or paper document for everyone to have to check on their neighbors.
Sarah suggested a possible Ap to connect people in the community, would need logins and might cost.
Steffi said the phone calls aren’t feasible by the time the Sheriffs are driving around with bull-horns.
Dina added that her AirLink group heard early from the Ham network. She has an issue that if someone is out of town and has a house sitter, they may not answer the phone, so she went to people’s houses to check.
Emma suggested we update all NeighborLink (NL) information and make sure that people know to let their neighbors know if they will be out of town.
Jojo agreed with Steffi that the Sheriff’s were very competent with their bullhorns going around announcing the evacuation, and suggested maybe we should get some, too.
Marcus added that it would be a good idea to combine low tech and high tech to function in different ways/situations. He really encouraged everyone to get on NextDoor, also
Emma suggested that people could have laminated cards with their contact information, etc.,that they could post on their doors when evacuated.
Dina added that we could distribute cheap (~$30.00) ham radios. Bear said that would be a good idea, even if they wouldn’t be licensed and would be listen only
Karen Simmons felt that the internet is the key to communication when we do have electricity and Gretchen added that we do already have the town website and emails, but it is difficult to separate out townspeople from anyone else who has signed up – we don’t get people’s names. She will find out if we can require that.
Jojo suggests we have 2-3 key people to push out information to greater spaces/platforms.
Richard suggested that we need more Ham Radio operators.
Deb added that we also have people with no internet – elders, people working at the museum, etc., and we have to call them or go door to door.
Emma wondered about a place where all could go, like the store, to sign out and leave their plans. Dina said that wouldn’t work for out west, because they probably wouldn’t evacuate through town.
Jessie suggested an electronic version of that. Emma added that we want redundancy and Richard said Sheriffs and Firefighters are required to physically check homes. Dina thought something easy to attach to peoples mailboxes, if they are at the end of their driveway. Jojo said that she’s still going to go to everyone’s doors in her neighborhood. Sita said The Ashram found a black and white striped flag on their mailbox when they evacuated and she presumed that meant they’d been notified.
Deb inquired about Ham classes to certify new hams and Dina said there is really good online instruction.
Regarding collecting information for NeighborLink, Jessie said it’s a challenge to make new people aware of the importance of connecting with their neighbors even though there is lots of info in the welcome buckets.
Dina asked if a Google survey could collect information. Jess said they got a good response to the last one, saves having to do it physically, although would still have to go door to door for non responders. If Deb would send a form to Jessie, she’ll put it together for a Google survey.
Deb said there are still pods operating effectively in the subdivision and would like to see that duplicated all over Gold Hill more effectively. Each would need a communication person to connect to the 4 area coordinators. Jess said their group texts each other and keeps in good contact re out of town, etc. The main thing right now is to collect all the data for participation
Jojo sees several levels for communicating and getting information – NeighborLink pods, post on the door notices, website and town emails, OEM.
Deb wants to get Anya, Jessie involved in what should go on the website.
Marcus thinks we should brainstorm scenarios for what kind of disasters we might face and how to respond.
Deb is concerned with confidentiality with the website – if we are evacuated she doesn’t like the idea that unknown people would know that.
Dina thinks we could have an FM radio site that would cover our area.
It was decided to meet again in two weeks.

Addendums from Gretchen
Everyone should get an old phone that works without electricity for when the power is out – phone lines may not be out.
I don’t think it should be a big concern about the email list knowing we’re evacuated. This is not a common occurrence and the Sheriff blocks access as soon as evacuation orders are issued. Also, I doubt if there are a lot of dangerous lurkers monitoring out town emails. I can reliably say that many townspeople miss the emails and call me to find out information regularly
There is lots of emergency information on the website already. Right on the home page there is a link to useful websites which includes OEM and how to sign up for Everbridge.
Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary

The County is bringing us a dumpster for slash on Saturday, November 14th. I do not have the timing or all the details yet, but this is a great opportunity to get rid of any piles of slash around – mitigation! Also, of course, I will need a few Volunteers to help. Please let me know if you can help for a few hours with this great service the County is providing for us. I will get the details out as soon as I have them
Gretchen
gretchend@nullmac.com
302-442-3847

Emergency Preparedness Coordination – Zoom Meetings
Meeting 1
Topic: Emergency Preparedness Coordination – Zoom Meeting
Time: Nov 9, 2020 05:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

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Meeting 2
Topic: Emergency Preparedness Coordination – Zoom Meeting
Time: Nov 9, 2020 05:40 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

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Calwood and Lefthand Canyon Fires

Our deepest condolences to all who lost their homes in the recent wildfires. All our mountain residents have been in our hearts and thoughts throughout this challenging time.

If you have specific questions about your home or property, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our staff or your mitigation specialist.

La Nina Winters and Wildfire Danger
Winter Outlook

I remember my first winter in Nederland.

It was the night before Thanksgiving. I woke up at 2 a.m., because I literally felt the house moving, creaking.

The wind was howling.

I got up and stared out the upper windows that faced west. Huge lodgepole pines were bowing back and forth from the force of the wind. I stood transfixed, trying to understand how this was possible.

I felt so rattled by the buffeting of the house that I couldn’t go back to sleep. Is the roof going to blow off the house?

Read More

Nederland Sort Yard Re-opened
Open Through Nov. 21

Due to wildfire activity, the Nederland Sort Yard is temporarily extending the 2020 season to assist with urgent material removal.

The sort yard is open normal operating days (Wed-Sat) from 9:00am-5:00pm.

Don’t let this chance pass you by!
Let’s Talk Mitigation!
Wednesday evening

You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers!

This month, we’ll be talking about the recent fires in Boulder County and emergency preparedness. For many of you, it was your first time evacuating for a fire. What went well? What are things you wished you’d done differently?

Join Wildfire Partners staff members , Abby Silver and Leslie Brodhead to talk about recent fires and and ask any mitigation questions you have.

Wednesday, November 18 at 7 p.m.

Join via Computer Through Zoom Link

Meeting ID = 817 1360 5541
Password = 210719

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Wildfire Partners
P.O. Box 1813
Nederland, CO 80466
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303-441-1420
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Wildfire Partners · PO Box 471 · Boulder · Colorado · 80306
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Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Fort Collins, Colo.
www.fs.usda.gov/arp
@usfsarp on Twitter and Facebook

Forest Closure remains in place East of Continental Divide through at least Saturday
Arapaho National Forest areas in Grand County will move to Stage 2 fire restrictions Friday

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Nov. 5, 2020) – Forest Supervisor Monte Williams said the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests east of the Continental Divide will remain in Stage 3 Fire Restrictions, which closes the Forest to all uses, until at least Saturday. West of the Divide, in Grand County, Forest personnel are preparing on Friday to return to Stage 2 Fire restrictions, which bans all fires but opens the Forest to other uses. Closures around fire areas will remain in effect.

This decision comes after meeting Monday and Wednesday with sheriffs in Grand, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Boulder, Larimer and Jefferson counties as well as Colorado Parks and Wildlife regional managers. The team heard from NOAA meteorologists and fire managers, reviewing the short and long term weather forecasts. Conditions will remain windy, warm and dry through the remainder of this week. A low pressure system is developing and is expected to bring moisture to the area over the weekend, however predictions call for very little snow/water equivalency along the Front Range (about one-tenth of an inch).

“We continue to be in historically warm and dry conditions for this time of year,” Williams said. “What we need to see is a series of storms stacking up, bringing sufficient precipitation and sustained cold temperatures to provide some relief.”

The group will meet again on Saturday in hopes of getting a clearer picture of the incoming storm system and the 14-day outlook after that.

“We have to be sure we are really coming out of this current fire weather trend,” Williams added. “A monumental amount of effort goes into closing the forest and opening it up. It’s not a switch that we can just keep flipping as conditions change.”

The county sheriffs supported this decision, citing concerns for new fire starts, the risk of more loss of homes, and a drawdown of firefighting personnel and resources at this time of year.

Meanwhile, temperatures west of the Continental Divide in Grand County have remained cooler, allowing snow to melt more slowly and moisture to be absorbed by the fuels. Higher amounts of snow are forecasted for the weekend and coming week west of the Divide. With those factors in mind, and support from the Grand County sheriff and commissioners, Forest personnel are currently preparing to return to Stage 2 fire restrictions across the Sulphur Ranger District by Friday. Forest Closures will remain in place around the Williams Fork and East Troublesome Fire burned areas.

Williams Fork Fire Closure
East Troublesome Closure
Fire Restriction information

This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.

FOOD PANTRY ATTENDEES…..thanks for a terrific pantry last Monday. It was a great day and it was wonderful seeing so many of you!

Please remember to bring your personal shopping bag to the pantry on Mondays as we move forward for the winter. If you require a paper sack, we will have them for you but we would very much appreciate you bringing your own sack as long as you are comfortable with our volunteers putting items into your sack with a gloved hand!
Remember to SOCIAL DISTANCE. It’s easy to forget that we have that responsibility to each other and we have several people in town who are at high risk. We very much appreciate you keeping that in mind as you are waiting in line.
FINALLY, AND VERY IMPORTANT: We begin the pantry promptly at 3 pm. You are welcome to line up whenever you wish BUT you will not be allowed to “shop” prior to 3 pm. Please line up by 3:30 pm if you wish to shop. When the line is gone, our volunteers begin to pack up the pantry. If you arrive after 3:30 PM, we cannot guarantee that the food will still be out on the table. The team will be packing up any remaining foods and loading it into a truck to be driven to the Ward food pantry. The driver leaves by 4 pm. Following that, we still have to clean up and store items away for the next week. We don’t want to miss you but our food pantry team has been working on weighing, sorting, loading, carrying, unloading, displaying, and cleaning up this food since they left Gold Hill at 9 AM. By the time the line has finished between 3:30 pm and 4 pm, the team has been working for 7 hours on getting food to you. The team makes this look effortless but the truth is that they’ve put in an entire day by the time you receive your food. Our team is the best and they are very devoted to supporting our town with these foods. We appreciate your understanding and hope to see you on Monday for our next pantry.
We have been asked to find out what you would like to receive at the pantry. Please tell one of the volunteer servers what items you’d like to get in the future. The Ned pantry folks shop for us each week and are anxious to hear from us.

We are really fortunate to have so many great people making this work. The Nederland Food Pantry is very flexible and always willing to help us out. They are planning special food stuffs for the holidays and they go out of their way to accommodate us. Boulder Food Rescue Mountain Division is what supports our Monday food pantry. It takes 3 drivers to get this food for us on Mondays and they go to 3 or 4 locations in Boulder to gather all of the items that are available to you on Monday. If you want any additional information, we can provide that for you.

Thanks everyone. Enjoy!
Deb Yeager
deb@nullmountainvisions.net

We’re going to be doing a monthly birthday get together out back of the store. It will be an excuse to set up some tents and heaters out back if its cold and celebrate community members Birthdays once a month.

This month we’re doing it on November 19th from 5:00-8:00. Free Cake for all the November Birthdays! Anyone else can buy a slice. I’ll also have soup, sandwiches, and everything I normally make at the store. The cake soup and sandwiches will all be cheap. We don’t want anyone to feel excluded because of the price. Hot soup to stay warm. Novemeber 19th, 5:00-8:00pm
Jay

Increase in residents testing positive for COVID-19 is causing delays in case and contact investigations
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Public Health Banner
For Immediate Release
11/02/2020
Media Contact
Chana Goussetis, 303-441-1457
Public Health officials ask residents to take prevention steps and notify contacts
Boulder County, CO – The ongoing increase in residents across the state testing positive for COVID-19 has strained the public health system and is causing delays in case and contact investigations. Over the past week, 567 Boulder County residents tested positive for COVID-19; up from 378 new cases over the same time period two weeks ago.

“We need to make sure people have the information they need. We’re hearing that some residents who test positive don’t understand that they need to stay separated from other people, even if they don’t feel sick,” said Carol Helwig, Boulder County Public Health communicable disease control manager. “Or that they didn’t realize they had to wait for their test results before going back to work or sending their kids to school.”

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can spread to others from people who have the virus but don’t have symptoms. It can also take more than seven days for the virus to be detectable by a swab PCR test.

“Stay home even when you’re not sure that your symptoms are COVID-19,” said Helwig. “It’s better to take a day or two away from school or work to see if your symptoms continue. Then, if you do have the virus, you won’t have exposed anyone else, and those others won’t need to quarantine for two weeks or worse yet, get really sick.”

To stop further spread of the virus, especially if epidemiologists and contact tracers can’t reach residents quickly, public health officials are asking individuals to take the following steps (per Colorado Revised Statute § 25-1.5-102(1).):

Stay home and separate. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 or feels sick should stay home and separate from others, such as in their own room and bathroom (see full isolation requirements) and ask everyone they’ve been in close contact with to also stay home (see full quarantine requirements). Close contact is living in the same household or being within 6 feet for a combined total of 15 minutes within a 24-hour period, regardless of whether masks were worn.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 or feels sick should notify everyone they’ve had close contact with two days before their symptoms started to the first ten days after their symptoms began OR two days before they got tested through the ten days after they got tested.
Stay home. Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who was sick or tested positive for COVID-19 should stay home for two weeks starting two days before their symptoms started through the first ten days of having symptoms (See full quarantine requirements).
“Think of it this way; if you test positive, consider yourself sick, even if you don’t feel bad. It’s your opportunity to watch a movie, sip hot tea, catch up on sleep, listen to your favorite music, even work or study at home, but separated from all other people, like you would if you had the flu,” said Chana Goussetis, Boulder County Public Health spokesperson. “And if you might have been too close to someone who tested positive or became sick, then it’s your chance to work or study from home if you can, play an instrument, dance, paint, read, but only at home and only within your household.”

Most individuals who aren’t able to work because they have tested positive for COVID-19 or are required to quarantine due to possible exposure are entitled to paid leave from their jobs for up to 14 days.

“It’s really important that everyone feels comfortable letting their employer know they’ve tested positive or aren’t feeling well,” said Helwig. “Nobody should have to decide between paying the rent or working when they’re sick or have tested positive for COVID-19.”

If anyone has questions about isolation or quarantine instructions, they can contact CO Help at 877-462-2911. Residents who would like to help support the community with food, health care, mental health, housing, child care, safety, or financial or legal assistance are encouraged to visit www.boco.org/COVID-19Resources.

Residents interested in volunteering to support public health should contact the state through the Colorado Volunteer Mobilizer system. Please do not contact Boulder County Public Health about COVID-19 volunteer opportunities.

– boco.org/covid-19 –

Funcionarios de Salud Pública piden a los residentes que tomen medidas de prevención y notifiquen a los contactos
Condado de Boulder, CO – El continuo aumento de casos positivos de COVID-19 entre residentes de todo el estado ha sobrecargado el sistema de salud pública y está causando retrasos en las investigaciones de casos y contactos. Durante la semana pasada, 567 residentes del Condado de Boulder resultaron positivos con COVID-19 en comparación a 378 nuevos casos en el mismo período de tiempo hace dos semanas.

“Tenemos que asegurarnos de que las personas tengan la información que necesitan. Estamos escuchando que algunos residentes resultan positivos no comprenden que necesitan permanecer separados de otras personas, incluso si no se sienten enfermos”, dijo Carol Helwig, gerente de control de enfermedades transmisibles del Condado de Boulder. “O que no se dieron cuenta de que tenían que esperar a los resultados de sus pruebas antes de volver al trabajo o enviar a sus hijos a la escuela”.

El coronavirus que causa COVID-19 puede propagarse a otras personas que tienen el virus, pero no tienen síntomas. También puede tomar más de siete días para que el virus se detecte mediante una prueba de PCR.

“Quédate en casa incluso cuando no estés seguro de que tus síntomas son de COVID-19”, dijo Helwig. “Es mejor tomarte uno o dos días y no ir a la escuela o a trabajar para ver si los síntomas continúan. Entonces, si usted tiene el virus, no habrá expuesto a nadie más, y esas otras personas no tendrán que ponerse en cuarentena durante dos semanas o peor todavía, enfermarse”.

Para detener la propagación del virus, especialmente si los epidemiólogos y los rastreadores de contacto no pueden contactar a los residentes rápidamente, los funcionarios de Salud Pública están pidiendo a las personas que tomen los siguientes pasos (según la Ley Revisada de Colorado n.o 25-1.5-102(1).) :

Quédate en casa, pero separado. Cualquier persona que resulte positiva con COVID-19 o se siente enfermo debe quedarse en casa y separado de los demás, como por ejemplo en su propia habitación y baño ve requisitos completos de aislamiento y dile a las demás personas que han estado en contacto contigo que se queden en casa. ve requisitos de cuarentena. Un contacto cercano significa vivir en el mismo hogar o estar dentro de 6 pies durante un total de 15 minutos dentro de un período de 24 horas, independientemente de si se usaron cubrebocas.
Cualquier persona que resulte positiva con COVID-19 o se siente enfermo debe notificar a todos con los que tuvo contacto cercano dos días antes de sentir síntomas y seguir hasta los primeros diez días después de que comenzaron sus síntomas o dos días antes de que se hicieron la prueba a y seguir hasta los diez días después de que se hicieron la prueba.
Quédate en casa. Cualquier persona que haya estado en contacto con alguien que estaba enfermo o dio positivo con COVID-19 debe permanecer en casa durante dos semanas a partir de dos días antes de que los síntomas comenzaron a través de los primeros diez días de tener síntomas Ver requisitos completos de cuarentena.
“Piense de esta manera; si usted resulta positivo con COVID-19, considérese enfermo, incluso si no se siente mal. Es su oportunidad de ver una película, tomar té caliente, dormir, escuchar su música favorita, incluso trabajar o estudiar en casa, pero separado de todas las demás personas, como lo haría si tuvieras gripe”, dijo Chana Goussetis, portavoz de Salud Pública del Condado de Boulder. “Y si usted podría haber estado demasiado cerca de alguien que dio positivo o se enfermó, entonces es su oportunidad de trabajar o estudiar desde casa si puede, tocar un instrumento, bailar, pintar, leer, pero sólo en casa”.

La mayoría de las personas que no pueden trabajar porque han resultado positivos con COVID-19 o están obligadas a ponerse en cuarentena debido a una posible exposición, tienen derecho a vacaciones pagadas por parte de su trabajo, durante un máximo de 14 días.

“Es muy importante que todos tengan confianza de decirle a su jefe que resultaron positivos o no se sienten bien”, dijo Helwig. “Nadie debería tener que decidir entre pagar la renta o trabajar cuando están enfermos o han dado positivo para COVID-19.”

Si alguien tiene preguntas sobre instrucciones de aislamiento o cuarentena, puede comunicarse con CO Help al 1-877-462-2911. Los residentes que deseen ayudar a apoyar a la comunidad con alimentos, atención médica, salud mental, vivienda, cuidado infantil, seguridad o asistencia financiera o legal pueden visitar www.boco.org/COVID-19Resources..

Los residentes interesados en ser voluntarios para apoyar la salud pública deben comunicarse con el estado a través del sistema de Movilizador Voluntario de Colorado. Por favor, no se ponga en contacto con la Salud Pública del Condado de Boulder sobre las oportunidades de voluntariado COVID-19.

– boco.org/covid-19 –

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From Chrissy

Gold Hill Trick or Treating 2020

Hello, GH Residents,

As you may have heard, the Gold Hill School is currently quarantined due to a case of covid-like symptoms in one household. Due to evacuations, this family has not been in Gold Hill since Oct. 16th. This morning, the family got their negative covid results back. The Covid tests from various other families that have taken tests and received results have all come back negative at this point as well, including the teachers. Even with negative results, we’re all asked to quarantine until Nov. 7th, and we may return to school on Tuesday, Nov. 10th.

Which leads us to Saturday- Halloween. Many students have received their covid test results, or will by tomorrow. Many parents are feeling their children can still participate in trick or treating safely. Many residents have expressed their desire to move forward with trick or treating activities, both during the last town meeting, as well as since the GHS closure began. All that said, please consider the CDC recommendations for trick or treating this year:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween

https://bouldercolorado.gov/newsroom/family-friendly-halloween-events-in-boulder

As you know, our trick or treating numbers are always rather small. With no Halloween parties attracting outside guests, our numbers should be even smaller than usual. We aren’t talking about the mobs of children we see in Boulder. Still, many residents plan to follow the following CDC guideline:

Line up individually wrapped treats at the end of the driveway or yard’s edge. Watch the fun and enjoy the costumes from a distance.
If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 second before and after preparing the bags.
A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.

Setting out treats on a table by the road with a light on it for kids to grab as they walk by may be a safe alternative for our setting. Treats can be spread out to avoid digging hands into a common bowl. Residents can keep a distance from any passers-by.

If none of these solutions are comfortable for you, of course you do not need to accept trick or treaters. You can leave your porch light off and not set out treats.

Thank you all for your consideration.

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Fort Collins, Colorado

Find this news online: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD836174

Link to our social media posts: Facebook and Twitter @usfsarp

Forest Supervisor says forest-wide closure will continue through weekend

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Oct. 29, 2020) – Forest Supervisor Monte Williams confirmed that the temporary closure of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests will continue through the weekend. This decision was closely coordinated with and supported by Grand, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Boulder, Larimer and Jefferson counties and their sheriffs. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has also supported the Forest in this decision.

“I understand the tremendous impact this closure has on people wanting to hunt and recreate on the National Forest,” Williams said. “We are taking a careful, measured and deliberative approach, factoring in the forecasts, fuel conditions, and availability of firefighting personnel.”

It is estimated that the 6-18 inches of snow received across north central Colorado Sunday contained the equivalent of about one-half to 1-inch of rain. While that will help the finer fuels like grasses and sage recover, it won’t help the larger fuels like trees and downed logs, which are the driest fire managers have seen in 20 years.

Cameron Peak, CalWood and East Troublesome fires are all still burning under the snow, with smoke and flames visible within their perimeters. “Both the Cameron Peak and Williams Fork fires have already been snowed on multiple times, and they both made big runs after that.” Williams said. “We are seeing conditions worse than 2012 when the Fern Lake Fire made a run through Rocky Mountain National Park toward Estes Park from under the snow in December. Fire season is not over in northern Colorado.”

The forecast for the next 8-14 days calls for a return of warmer-than-normal temperatures, with no significant moisture in the extended outlook. Southerly slopes are losing snow first. As snow melts, potential will return for new fire starts and fire growth.

“Foremost on our minds are the local firefighters, law enforcement officers, search and rescue personnel and emergency first responders who have spent the past 10 weeks protecting their communities,” Williams said. “We are also thinking of the tens of thousands of residents who live in the wildland urban interface around the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, whose homes are surrounded by forests that remain tinder dry. And then there is the population of our greater metropolitan areas who have been breathing smoke all summer. We need to give these folks a break. We just can’t risk one more fire.”

The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest has been in Stage 1 fires restrictions, banning dispersed campfires, since April. A Stage 2 fire ban went in effect across portions of the Forest in July and the remainder of the Forest in August. Stage 3 fire restrictions went into effect Oct. 20, banning all use of the National Forest due to extreme fire danger.

See the Stage 3 closure order.

Forest Service Shield
K. “Reid” Armstrong
Public Affairs Specialist
Forest Service
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Pawnee National Grassland
p: 303-541-2532
c: 970-222-7607
katherine.armstrong@nullusda.gov
2140 Yarmouth Ave
Boulder, CO 80301
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Hi All,

I wanted to make sure that this word is getting out to folks in Gold Hill. I’ve seen in the reports that a lot of Ward and Jamestown folks are utilizing the VDAC (Virtual Disaster Assistance Center), but not as many in Gold Hill. Most of the folks who lost significant amounts of food in their fridges and freezers are getting gift cards to help replace that loss. This is for ANYONE affected, not limited to limited-income residents. This resource will only be available until 11/6/2020. Can you spread this information to the community with your informal and formal networks? I would appreciate it so much!

I hope you are all safe and well. I’m finally coming down from the adrenaline rush and even the wind today has my nerves buzzing.
Take good care!
Colleen

Colleen Sinclair | Mountain Resource Specialist
Boulder County Area Agency on Aging | Community Services Department
303-258-3068 (office) | 720-616-9109 (cell) | Resource Line: 303-441-1617
Resources: BoulderCountyHelp.org | Sign up: Age Well Newsletter | Facebook

From: p2phhs@nullgooglegroups.com <p2phhs@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of dawnb
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2020 1:35 PM
To: p2phhs@nullgooglegroups.com
Subject: Edited document

Please share this widely! Includes a phone number for Estes evacuees.

Dawn Baumhover
Community Center Manager
Town of Nederland
dawnb@nullnederlandco.org
(303)258-9721

We know this is a very difficult time for all those impacted by the #CalWoodFire and #LefthandCanyonFire here in Boulder County. We want you to know we are here to help.
Boulder County has the following supports available for any household that was evacuated or otherwise impacted due to the fires:
• Food assistance
• Housing assistance
• Financial counseling
• Health coverage
• Transportation assistance
• Referrals and linkages to other basic needs
• Mental health supports
• Help with debris removal
The virtual Disaster Assistance Center will operate weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning October 23. Contact the Disaster Assistance Center at 303-441-1206. Leave a message with your name, phone number and/or email address, and physical address, along with a brief description of the help you need. We will get back to you within two business days.
***Estes Evacuees***-Please call the Larimer County Joint Information Center with Questions: 970-980-2500

This very important election is just a week away. It’s now too late to mail your ballot, but you can drop it off at any number of drop boxes – the County Court House, the Clerk and Recorder’s office out at 33rd Street. Find a drop box near you on your county clerk’s website bouldercounty.org/elections

Don’t forget to vote the whole ballot and sign the outside of the envelope.

For information on ballot issues from the League of Women Voters, go to https://www.lwvcolorado.org

THANK YOU BRIAN FINN. We so appreciate you letting us use the Lodge front porch for the Monday Food Pantry. We had the biggest Food Pantry ever on Monday and the use of the porch made a huge difference for everyone. It allowed people to wait in their cars on a frosty day and it allowed our wonderful volunteers to work on serving our community very efficiently. Your support of this pantry is very much appreciated.
Deb Yeager
deb@nullmountainvisions.net

Do you want to be a ham?

Maybe you are interested in knowing what is going on during an emergency and want to help out during disasters. Or maybe you want to just enjoy learning something new and talk to astronauts on the space station!

Think you need to be a technical genius to do this? Not true. Join a friendly bunch of mountain folk who have created a local community of hams.

In case you aren’t aware, the Gold Hill AirLink Repeater is off-grid and robust. This is the equipment that allows amateur radio operators (hams) to communicate, even with inexpensive handheld radios, over a wide area covering most of Boulder County and extending into the surrounding counties. The AirLink group is an official part of the team working directly with the Office of Emergency Management to provide eyes-on-the-ground information during emergencies.

Even if the power, internet, landlines, and cell phones all go out, the amateur radio system will work.

If you are interested in learning more, check out the AirLink web site at https://airlinkradio.org/

Getting licensed can now be done online. Below are a few links for study purposes as well as a link for signing up to take the exam. (I suggest you sign up for the exam first and then work toward that goal.)

The first one is a recommendation from George Weber, known to a lot of people in the mountain community since, in normal times, he teaches in-person classes to help people prepare for the exam.

Dina (KD0YYT)
dina.elder@nullgmail.com

———
Dave Cesler – KEØOG is a ham on the western slope. He has a website I still find very helpful even after 40+ years of being a ham radio operator myself.
Have fun, George Weber – KAØBSA, Broomfield, CO ka0bsa@nullgmail.com

Ham Radio Answers: https://www.youtube.com/user/davecasler

Technician Class License: http://dcasler.com/ham-radio/training/
General Class License: http://dcasler.com/ham-radio/general/
Amateur Extra Class License: http://dcasler.com/ham-radio/extra/

Other online options that I’ve seen recommended that have study guides as well as practice exams:
https://hamstudy.org/
https://study.hamradioprep.com/

There are several good books. The one I used which has a complementary web site for practice tests:

The link to sign up for the the online exam in Colorado:
http://w5yi-vec.org/exam_locations_ama.php?vec_state=CO

The Wednesday Food Pantry will be held at the normal time, from noon until 1 pm in front of the BlueBird Lodge this week along the handrail of the front porch. THIS IS THE LAST WEDNESDAY FOOD PANTRY FOR THE WINTER.

Beginning on Monday, November 2nd we are combining the Wednesday pantry and the Monday pantry to be held in front of the Bluebird Lodge at 3 pm for our weekly food pantry. This pantry will combine the foods that you normally receive on Wednesday as well as the prepared foods that are offered at the Monday food pantry.

See you there.

We are deeply appreciative of our volunteers and we intend to bring you the food pantry throughout the winter. Please park in the Inn’s parking lot and make your away along the handrail as you receive foods. Social distancing and masks are required.

Deb
deb@nullmountainvisions.net

The Monday food pantry is scheduled for tomorrow. WE HAVE MOVED IT TO THE FRONT OF THE BLUEBIRD LODGE. Be prepared to drive on Main Street and find a parking place but KEEP THE AREA IN FRONT OF THE HANDRAIL VACANT SO PEOPLE CAN WALK HERE AND PICK UP THEIR FOOD. See you at 3 pm.

PLEASE CHECK BACK ON MONDAY MORNING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SNOW HASN’T KEPT THE TEAM FROM GETTING THE FOOD. WE WILL CONFIRM BY 10 AM.

Topic: NeighborLink/SafeLink/AirLink – Zoom Meeting
Time: Oct 26, 2020 05:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79334627540?pwd=OHQ4NmFmZjB0RlhNYU40SkJSMXlnQT09

Meeting ID: 793 3462 7540
Passcode: Scmtz0

Much conversation has followed our recent evacuation and we’d love to get together to talk about plans for future incidents. We welcome you to join us for a Zoom meeting to discuss NeighborLink, SafeLink, and AirLink and share your ideas on ways to support communication in Gold Hill.

Agenda
Introduction of the meeting
History of NeighborLink/SafeLink/AirLink
Current efforts toward supporting these groups
Ideas for the future
Interested participants

To evacuees in the Lefthand fire area, the county is providing dumpsters for refrigerator spoilage. It will be parked in the Gold Hill Inn parking lot by 8 in the morning and will be taken away after dark. It will be available Friday and Saturday. All refrigerator spoilage is acceptable. There was some confusion about what could go in, but all spoilage is okay.
Leslie Finn

Gold Hill evac order is lifted. Sunshine and Fourmile are open, no restrictions. Lefthand is open with no restrictions UP TO Lickskillet, closed between Lickskillet and Sawmill, then open. This comes from the EOC, and the online map verifies it.

For the latest, see www.boulderoem.com, click on Emergency Status at the top, and then then click Public Information Map on the top right.

-Matt-
matt@nullsturtz.org

PS, the EOC has also said the power in Gold Hill is being restored.

Gold Hill folks pick up in Boulder Main PO downtown

Lefthand, Ward PO and Ward route (p2p, bar-k, and other nearby subdivisions) and Jamestown PO are all at the Nederland PO

Thank you!
Martha

FOR EVACUEES! You may request access to your home, if you are not in an active burn area, to winterize your house. Call the non-emergency number and they can help make that happen. 303-441-4444. It will not happen today, the fires are too active and they are too busy, but they are working on a plan, so we have to be patient.

The fire helpline is 303-413-7730 to volunteer, donate, and get information on services.

From Shivaun Hoyle

We and the cats are off at Jennifer and family’s for the evacuation, so I don’t have my Town Meeting notes with me, but we did discuss Halloween. Chrissy thought a parade might be too much of an event, given the pandemic, but that some socially distanced trick or treating might work. Here are the recommendations from the State, and we would probably want to check them again before the 31st.
https://covid19.colorado.gov/halloween-tips-and-tricks

weather.gov
National Weather Service

Red Flag Warning
URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
138 AM MDT Wed Oct 21 2020

…RED FLAG WARNING FOR THE MOUNTAIN VALLEYS THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING FOR LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY WINDS…
…RED FLAG WARNING FOR THE FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS THIS AFTERNOON
AND TONIGHT FOR LOW HUMIDITY…GUSTY WINDS…AND POOR RECOVERY
OVERNIGHT…

.Winds will increase today ahead of a weather system that will
pass over Colorado on Thursday. It will also be a little warmer
and drier. As a result, Red Flag conditions are expected in the
mountain valleys and foothills this afternoon. Conditions will
improve in the valleys this evening, but the foothills will have
windy conditions continuing with poor humidity recovery. Overnight
maximum humidity in the foothills will be in the 20 to 30 percent
range while winds increase with gusts of up to 50 mph possible,
mainly in the higher foothills and wind prone lower foothill
locations. The foothills will see a shift to northeast winds with
cooler temperatures and higher humidities behind a cold front
Thursday morning. These winds may also gust up to 30 mph during
the day Thursday.

…RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 AM MDT
THURSDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHERN
FOOTHILLS…

* Affected Area…Fire Weather Zone 215.

* Timing…From noon Wednesday to 8 AM MDT Thursday.

* Winds…West 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* Relative Humidity…As low as 15 percent.

* Impacts…Fires will start easily and spread rapidly.

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.

&&

$$

Gimmestad

Air Quality Alert
COC013-123-001-031-059-035-005-014-069-212200-
Boulder-Weld-Adams-Denver-Jefferson-Douglas-Arapahoe-
Broomfield-Larimer-
910 AM MDT Wed Oct 21 2020

…ACTION DAY FOR PARTICULATES FROM 400 PM TUESDAY UNTIL 400 PM
WEDNESDAY…

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has
issued the following…

WHAT…Action Day for Particulates.

WHERE…Douglas, Jefferson, Denver, western Arapahoe, western
Adams, Broomfield, Boulder, Larimer, and Weld Counties

WHEN…400 PM Tuesday October 20 to 400 PM Wednesday October 21

IMPACTS…Action Day for Particulates is now in effect for the
seven-county Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. Requests to limit
driving of non- ZEV vehicles (i.e., gas or diesel) are now in
effect until at least 4 PM Wednesday, October 21, 2020. Moderate
to heavy smoke can be expected Tuesday afternoon and evening for
locations in Larimer and Boulder counties near the Cameron Peak,
Calwood, and Lefthand Canyon wildfires, along with locations below
the fires in the Front Range Urban Corridor from Ft. Collins
southward to Longmont, Boulder, and Denver. Smoke levels will
likely fluctuate for these areas Tuesday night through Wednesday
afternoon, but the threat for periods of heavy smoke is expected
to continue. CDPHE requests that activities, such as driving non-
ZEV vehicles (i.e., gas or diesel), be reduced to lessen the
impacts on neighboring air quality. Additional air pollution in
this region may directly worsen air quality or contribute to
precursors which may also adversely affect air quality. For
Colorado air quality conditions, forecasts and advisories, visit:
https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx

HEALTH INFORMATION…If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your
neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially
true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very
young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity when
moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating
temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If
visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood,
smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

$$

Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Denver/Boulder CO
609 AM MDT Wed Oct 21 2020

COZ030>051-221215-
Jackson County Below 9000 Feet-
West Jackson and West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet-
Grand and Summit Counties Below 9000 Feet-
South and East Jackson/Larimer/North and Northeast Grand/
Northwest Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet-
South and Southeast Grand/West Central and Southwest Boulder/
Gilpin/Clear Creek/Summit/North and West Park Counties Above
9000 Feet-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-
Central and Southeast Park County-
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-
609 AM MDT Wed Oct 21 2020

…VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER IN THE MOUNTAIN VALLEYS AND FOOTHILLS…

This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central
Colorado.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

Winds will be stronger today in the mountains, with another day
of very high fire danger. Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph will be
common this afternoon, and the higher mountains will have gusts
to 50 mph. The winds will diminish in the mountain valleys this
evening, but it will remain windy with low humidity in the
foothills overnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Thursday through Tuesday

Warm, breezy, and dry conditions will persist over the mountains
and mountain valleys through Saturday. Meanwhile, a cold front
will bring colder temperatures and higher relative humidities to
the Front Range and eastern plains Thursday and continues into
Saturday.

A storm system is still on track to move across the Central
Rockies this weekend. This system will bring a good chance for
snow Saturday night and Sunday along with cold temperatures.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation will not be needed today and tonight.

$$

Gimmestad/Meier

U.S. Dept. of Commerce
NOAA National Weather Service
1325 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
E-mail: w-nws.webmaster@nullnoaa.gov
Page last modified: May 16, 2007
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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE: for Safety, for Work, for Fun – FOR LIFE

Calwood and Lefthand Canyon Fire Update
Wednesday, October 21, 2020, 9:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black
Troy Hagan, Incident Commander

CalWood Fire Containment Increases on Tuesday; Red Flag Warning Wednesday
Current Situation: On Tuesday, both the CalWood and Lefthand Canyon fires were moderately active. Winds kept aircraft grounded in the morning, but aircraft were able to support suppression efforts in the afternoon when the winds died down. Crews constructed containment lines along the south side of the fire on Tuesday and conducted tactical firing operations on the southwest side of the fire to connect existing control lines. Firefighters also worked in the Highway 7 corridor and along the fire’s north edge constructing direct line and checking the fire’s progress to the north. Containment on the CalWood fire increased to 21% on Tuesday.

Today, dozers, engines, and hand crews will work on the southeastern side of the fire to build line as the fire backs down the hill towards Spruce Gulch. On the southwestern side of the fire, crews will continue tactical firing operations to connect sections of existing line and protect structures in the Balarat area. On the northeast side of the fire, crews will continue working on the canyon’s edge and in the Highway 7 corridor with the intent of keeping the fire south of Highway 7. Crews on the north side of the fire will continue constructing and patrolling fire lines.

Crews were able to get containment lines connected around the full perimeter of the Lefthand Canyon Fire on Tuesday. Those lines will be strengthened today. Firefighters assigned to the Lefthand Canyon Fire will be mopping up or removing heat from near the containment lines and patrolling for any spot fires that may cross established lines due to this afternoon’s winds. An increase in containment will come as those containment lines are secured to the point that firefighters are comfortable that the containment lines will hold.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: A Red Flag Warning is in effect for both fire areas from noon today until 8 a.m. Thursday morning due to gusty west-southwest winds and low humidity. Winds will be lighter in the morning across the fire area but will increase in the afternoon. As the day progresses, winds will shift to coming from the southwest and increase to 10-15 mph with gusts to 20 mph in Lefthand Canyon and 10-18 mph with gusts to 30 mph along the ridge tops. Relative humidity will be lower than yesterday at 18-25%, depending on location. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 60s in lower elevations and low 60s in higher elevations. An inversion layer will be in place over the fires again this morning and smoke from nearby fires may temper fire activity, as was the case on Tuesday.

Closures and Evacuations: Road closures, evacuation orders, and evacuation warnings put in place by Boulder County Sheriff’s Office remain in effect for areas near both the CalWood and Lefthand Canyon fires. For more information on evacuation orders near both fires, please visit https://arcg.is/0Lq5fD. Effective today, the U.S. Forest Service has a temporary closure in place for all activities on Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest lands in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. For more information on this emergency closure, please visit https://go.usa.gov/x7CZJ.

Air Quality: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has issued an Air Quality Action Day Alert for the Colorado Front Range until at least 4pm today due to moderate to heavy smoke near the Cameron Peak, CalWood, and Lefthand Canyon fires. For further information on smoke forecasts and public health, please visit the CDPHE Air Quality page https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx or find more localized information at https://airnow.gov.

Emergency Alerts: Boulder County has an emergency notification system that allows residents of the county and all cities within to be notified of emergency situations. Notifications can be received in a variety of ways, including cell and land line phones, by text and/or by email. To sign up for alerts, please visit www.Boco911Alert.com.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over the Calwood and Lefthand Canyon fires. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fires, all aircraft will be grounded until the drone is confirmed as clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

CalWood Fire Statistics:
Size: 9,915
Containment: 21%
Total Personnel: 411
Location: 3 miles N of Jamestown, CO
Reported: October 17
Cause: Under Investigation
Lefthand Canyon Fire Statistics:
Size: 460
Containment: 4%
Total Personnel: 115
Location: 1 mile E of Ward, CO
Reported: October 18
Cause: Under Investigation
For More Information:
Boulder County Call Center: (303) 413-7730
Interactive StoryMap: https://arcg.is/1ybX0u
CalWood InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7245/
Lefthand Canyon Inciweb:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7247/
Facebook: @CalWoodAndLefthandCynFires

October 21 CalWood and Lefthand Canyon Fire Update FINAL

CalWood and Left Hand Canyon Fires Virtual Community Meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m.

OCTOBER 20, 2020, 9:19 AM ALERT
Be sure to mark your calendar for the virtual community meeting on Facebook tonight at 7:30 p.m.

https://www.facebook.com/events/681744022472350/

Please note: You do not need Facebook to view the community meeting.