Posts tagged Fourmile Canyon Fire
Community flood preparedness meeting set for Wednesday, May 25
May 20th
The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Boulder Public Library Auditorium at 1001 Arapahoe Ave.
Residents who live along Fourmile Creek, Fourmile Canyon Creek or Boulder Creek and all interested members of the community are encouraged to attend.
Boulder County and City of Boulder employees will present information about the impacts from the Fourmile Canyon Fire and the increased flood potential for properties below the burned area and in the city of Boulder. Individual preparedness and flood safety will also be discussed.
To learn more about flood preparedness and the Fourmile Canyon Fire recovery efforts, visit www.boulderfloodinfo.net and www.bouldercounty.org/fourmilefire.
For more information, contact Emergency Management Coordinator Merrie Leach (303-441-3647 / mleach@bouldercounty.org) or Fourmile Canyon Fire Recovery Manager Garry Sanfaçon (720-564-2642 / gsanfacon@bouldercounty.org).
Flood season begins in Boulder Here’s how to be prepared
Apr 8th
Boulder is the number one flash flood risk community in Colorado due to its location at the mouth of Boulder Canyon, the number of people who live and work within the Boulder Creek floodplain, and the numerous other drainage basins running through the city. Therefore, flood safety and preparation is always a high priority for the community. However, following the Fourmile Canyon Fire, there is a lack of vegetation and permeable soil in the burn area. This creates an increased possibility of rain run-off and flooding on both Boulder Creek and Fourmile Canyon Creek if a severe storm were to occur over the burn area. This increased flood potential could last anywhere from 2 to 10 years until the landscape starts to recover.
The City of Boulder and its partners are working together to prepare for the season and to educate community members on how to prepare.
What can you do?
Be alert. It can be raining in the mountains and dry in Boulder. Rainfall in the burn area could result in:
Muddy or murky creek water downstream.
Creek levels rising more quickly.
Higher frequency of flooded underpasses.
Increased possibility of flash flooding.
If it is raining, avoid seeking shelter in underpasses. Many of Boulder’s underpasses serve the double purpose of conveying flood waters. This means that they are meant to flood and to help contain flood waters from overflowing into other areas.
Remember, flash floods can literally occur IN A FLASH during a severe storm. It’s important that residents and people who work in Boulder keep track of the weather and know the dangers. Here are some steps residents and employees can take to increase their safety if a flood event should occur in Boulder:
Before a flood – Be ready:
Have a plan for where to meet in an emergency and make sure children know where to go when they are at school or away from home.
Keep an emergency kit accessible. Include a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, flashlights, rubber boots and gloves, first-aid supplies, medicines, water stored in tightly-sealed containers and food that requires no cooking or refrigeration.
If you’re concerned about your property being flooded, consider purchasing flood insurance. A homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover flood damage. There is a 30-day waiting period before new coverage goes into effect.
Fill out a Family Flood Action Plan and post it in your home. Visit www.boulderfloodinfo.net to print off a Family Flood Action Plan or pick one up at one of the Boulder Public Library branches or at the city’s Municipal Building at 1777 Broadway.
Sign up to get emergency alerts sent to you on your phone, email or Twitter account at www.BoCo911Alert.com.
During a flood:
Move to higher ground immediately.
Stay out of flowing waters. Swift moving waters may sweep people away.
Avoid driving through flooded areas. Cars float in 18 inches of water and half of all flood fatalities are auto related.
Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Electrocution is the number two killer in floods.
If time allows, turn off electricity and gas.
When an emergency warning is issued by sirens, radio or other media, seek response information immediately. Tune radios to 850 AM or televisions to local news stations.
After a flood:
Stay away from disaster areas until authorized. Clean everything that got wet to avoid bacteria and mold.
Continue to monitor local media for disaster and recovery information.
There is no way to predict whether flooding will occur. It is dependent on many variables including intensity, duration and location of storms as well as existing soil conditions. The best course of action is to be alert and be prepared.
The city maintains a flood information website that can help residents prepare before, during and after a flood event. For more information about personal preparedness, visit www.boulderfloodinfo.net. To sign up for emergency alerts on your phone, email or Twitter account, go to www.BoCo911Alert.com.
Fourmile Canyon Fire aerial mulching to begin Thursday, April 7 (weather permitting)
Apr 5th
Aerial mulching treatments will consist of certified weed-free straw and WoodStrawÓ being dropped in pre-determined areas from helicopters. Target areas were determined by a set of criteria that includes slope, burn severity, flood/debris flow risk, and values downstream (including human life, safety and property). In total, approximately 1,960 acres will be aerially mulched inside the fire boundary.
Aerial operations will begin on April 7 (weather permitting) in the vicinity of Sugarloaf Road and Fourmile Canyon Drive and move to areas within Sunshine Canyon on or after April 12. Flights will operate for about two weeks (up until April 23) depending on weather conditions throughout the mulching period.
Helicopters will be flying during daylight hours only beginning as early as 7 a.m., and residents can expect temporary road closures as helicopters fly overhead. Additionally, heavy truck equipment will be used in the vicinity of Sugarloaf Road and Sunshine Canyon to deliver straw and support equipment for the aerial flights.
Hand seeding is taking place along roads and driveways in areas that were moderately to severely burned, and with less than 60 percent slope. Roads and driveways are targeted because vehicles are a common way that weed seeds are transported. In total, approximately 500 acres will be seeded utilizing the help of volunteers.
Call the Fourmile Rehabilitation Hotline at 303-413-7010 for the latest updates on seeding and aerial mulching activities. Message boards or flaggers will be located in the vicinity of work being performed to alert residents of any delays or modifications to traffic patterns.
Safety issues
Due to safety regulations and FAA requirements, no one can be in the immediate areas where mulch is being dropped.
Residents and workers in the mulching areas for Gold Hill, Four Mile Canyon, Sugar Loaf and Sunshine Canyon will be asked to leave the area for the day, and bring in pets/livestock while their specific block or neighborhood is being mulched.
Boulder County Sheriff’s patrols will be active in the area to maintain public safety for the duration of the treatments. The Sheriff’s Office asks everyone to be mindful of the following privacy and public safety rules:
- Motorists must not block traffic on any public right of way.
- Everyone must stay at least 200 feet outside of the perimeter of active aerial mulching treatment areas at all times so as not to impede operations.
- No trespassing is allowed on private property including driveways, turn-offs, private roads or other private property.
- Cyclists are asked to avoid Sugarloaf Road, Fourmile Canyon Drive, and Sunshine Canyon Drive while helicopter flights are occurring (April 7-23).
Information resources
For additional information and maps showing the treatment areas go to: www.bouldercounty.org/fourmilefire.