Fires, Floods, Snow extremes
Breaking news about Wild Land Fires & Floods and snow storms in the Boulder, Colorado area.
Boulder comes out swinging against climate change
Mar 19th
The City of Boulder is providing $300,000 in Climate Action Plan (CAP) funds to enable more Boulder businesses and commercial property owners to make energy efficiency improvements through the EnergySmart program. The rebates will only be available for energy efficiency upgrades to existing commercial buildings in Boulder.
Nearly $900,000 in EnergySmart rebates have already helped to fund 450 commercial energy efficiency projects throughout Boulder County since the program began in November 2010.
EnergySmart rebates, in addition to utility rebates, significantly reduce the out-of-pocket expense to businesses and commercial property owners, making energy efficiency upgrades more cost-effective. EnergySmart rebates may be applied to qualified upgrades for commercial building lighting; heating and cooling systems; refrigeration equipment; and more. These limited-time EnergySmart commercial rebates will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis through Dec. 31, 2012 or until the available funds have been allocated – whichever occurs first. Commercial rebate applications are available at: www.energysmartyes.com/business.
In addition to providing rebate assistance, EnergySmart services include expert advisors to help businesses and commercial property owners assess energy-saving opportunities, utilize all available financing, and find qualified contractors to complete the work. For more information, contact an EnergySmart Advisor at 303-441-1300.
W.W. Reynolds Companies leading by example
The W.W. Reynolds Companies, Inc. is one of many Boulder County businesses taking advantage of EnergySmart commercial rebates to improve its bottom line through energy efficiency upgrades.
W.W. Reynolds Companies, one of the largest commercial property owners in Boulder, has leveraged EnergySmart and Xcel Energy rebates and services to retrofit nearly one million square feet of its commercial properties throughout Boulder County.
“This has been an amazing effort on everyone’s part,” said Aaron Schlagel with W.W. Reynolds. “Our green building team is always looking for ways to save energy and this ended up being a great public-private partnership with Xcel, the City of Boulder and Boulder County. These retrofits will help our tenants reduce overhead costs, while also improving our buildings systems’ performance. We couldn’t have made these investments without the support of the EnergySmart Advisor, Xcel and our lighting supplier, Summit Lighting.”
During the past 18 months, W.W. Reynolds Companies has completed upgrades for more than 30 of its commercially leased properties, including 60 lighting projects and 18 rooftop heating and cooling equipment replacements. These lighting and equipment upgrades are estimated to save W.W. Reynolds’ tenants more than two million kilowatt-hours per year and prevent 1,137 tons of annual greenhouse gas emissions1. The upgrades are also estimated to save enough energy to power 235 Colorado homes for one year2. Several tenants have reported that they are saving an estimated 20 to 25 percent on their utility bills as a result of these upgrades. With the help of EnergySmart and Xcel Energy rebates, and equipment from Summit Lighting, W.W. Reynolds was able to reduce its out-of-pocket costs by more than 75 percent.
To learn more about the W.W. Reynolds Companies, visit: wwreynolds.com.
EnergySmart
EnergySmart services are available to businesses and residents in all Boulder County communities. EnergySmart is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through the Department of Energy’s BetterBuildings Program and is sponsored in partnership with Boulder County, the City of Boulder, the City of Longmont, Platte River Power Authority and Xcel Energy. For more information, visit www.energysmartyes.com.
Climate Action Plan
In November 2006, Boulder voters passed the Climate Action Plan (CAP) tax, the nation’s first tax exclusively designated for climate change mitigation. City businesses and residents are taxed based on the amount of electricity they consume. CAP tax revenues are used to promote energy conservation and assist Boulder businesses and residents with implementing energy efficiency upgrades. For more information on the City of Boulder’s Climate Action Plan, visit: www.bouldercolorado.gov/lead/climateaction.
Boulder will burn its open space
Mar 13th
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department and the Boulder Fire Department will be conducting prescribed grassland burns this month. The burns will be conducted only if environmental and weather conditions fall within city burn plan guidelines. Ignitions will not begin before 10 a.m. and will end no later than 2 p.m.
Prescribed burns will be conducted at the following sites:
- OSMP Fell property, a 15-acre site located north of Valmont Road and east of 75th Street,
- OSMP Van Vleet property, a 25-acre site located west of South Boulder Creek and south of South Boulder Road.
- OSMP Gephard property, a 20-acre site located east of South Boulder Creek, north of South Boulder Road, and west of Cherryvale Rd.
Boulder’s ecosystems have evolved with fire over thousands of years. The prescribed burning of these areas will improve habitat for native plants and wildlife.
Additionally, OSMP, in conjunction with the Boulder Fire Department, will be conducting ditch burns throughout the spring on the city’s agricultural properties. OSMP has significant shares of water rights used primarily to support agricultural activity in the Boulder Valley. Ditch burning is important to the productivity of agricultural cropland and the efficiency of water delivery. Periodic burning removes the build up of plant debris in irrigation ditches and also keeps weeds at bay, reducing herbicide use. Burning is a cost effective way to clear irrigation ditches before the spring water run off.
No burning will occur on Red Air Quality days. Trained fire personnel and natural resource advisors will be on site during this activity.
For questions about prescribed burning on OSMP properties, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.OSMP.org.
Boulder Office of EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT latest it’s a real mess out there
Feb 22nd
It is anticipated that the the evacuations will remain in effect for several hours as crews assess any potential for additional fire activity in the Lyons Stone Canyon area. Evacuees are advised to remain at the evacuation center until further notice.
2/22 7:20 p.m. – Stone Canyon Fire contained
Fire crews are reporting that the Stone Canyon Fire has been contained. Firefighters are still on the scene to monitor and address hot spots. The fire scorched about 20 acres. Evacuation Center officials are reporting that approximately 15 families are on scene, awaiting word about when they can safely return to their homes. Updates will be posted here as soon as they are available.
2/22 6:40 p.m. – Hwy. 36 has been re-opened
The Colorado State Patrol has re-opened Hwy. 36, but motorists are advised to use caution because of high wind conditions.
2/22 6:35 p.m. – Additional evacuation information
Evacuations have been ordered for the Eagle Ridge subdivision, and officials are re-routing traffic to 5th Avenue because of a downed power line at 1125 Stone Canyon Road.
2/22 6:30 p.m. – Hwy. 36 closed at McCaslin Boulevard
Motorists are advised that Hwy. 36 is closed at McCaslin Boulevard in both directions. Alternate routes are suggested.
2/22 6:15 p.m. – Lyons High School opens as evacuation center
Emergency officials are opening an evacuation center at Lyons High School for individuals displaced by the Stone Canyon fire. The high school is located at 100 S. Second Ave. in Lyons. Individuals are encouraged to at least check in at the evacuation center to register in the event that officials need to contact them.
2/22 6:05 p.m. – New fire reported east of Lyons
Crews are responding to a grassfire that is threatening structures east of Lyons. The fire, approximately 2 acres, started behind 931 Stone Canyon Road. Emergency officials made 42 Everbridge notifications, advising people to evacuate immediately because of the high winds and fast-moving 10- to 15-foot flames. No evacuation centers have been established yet. Additional updates will be posted as soon as they are available.
2/22 6 p.m. – City, county crews contain Diagonal Fire
Contact:
EOC Media Line – 720-564-2935
City, county fire crews contain grass fire along Diagonal Highway
City and county firefighters have contained a grass fire that broke out at about 3:30 p.m. today at 63rd Street and Diagonal Highway. Firefighters battled high winds that made conditions particularly challenging. As of 5 p.m., crews were reporting that the blaze was 100 percent contained.
Read more…
2/22 5:45 p.m. – Weather Update
According to the National Weather Service, we are currently experiencing the strongest winds of the evening, with gusts out of the W/SW over 70 mph. Between 8 and 9 p.m., winds will shift to NW at 40-50 mph. Around midnight tonight, winds shift to the N decreasing to 25-30 mph gusts. The wind helps to move a cold front quickly in to Boulder County by 5 a.m. with winds at 10-15 mph. Snow accumulations expected to be .5 to 1 inch, and the storm will move out of the area by noon tomorrow.
2/22 5:22 p.m. – Diagonal Fire
2/22 5:22p.m. – Diagonal Fire The Diagonal Fire is now 100% contained. The Diagonal is open for Longmont bound traffic, still closed for Boulder bound traffic. 63rd St. is closed from the diagonal to Monarch Road. 71st St. is closed between State Highway 52 and Winchester Circle.
2/22 4:40 p.m. – Diagonal Fire
2/22 5:04p.m. – Diagonal Fire – 1300 reverse notifications were sent to the area from Lookout Road north to Niwot Rd, and from 79th Street west to the Diagonal, advising residents of the fire in the area. No evacuations were ordered.
2/22 4:40 p.m. – Diagonal Fire
2/22 4:40 p.m. – Diagonal Fire Update – There are no mandatory evacuations at this time. Voluntary evacuation should go Eastbound towards 75th Street.
2/22 4:30 p.m. – Diagonal Fire
Fire crews are responding to a brush fire near 63rd Street and Diagonal Highway. Initial reports indicated the fire was near Tom Watson Park, west of Diagonal Highway.
Please be aware that both lanes of the Diagonal Highway at 63rd Street have been shut down.