As we turn the calendar to 2023, my emotions return to the Boulder/Marshall wildfire of Dec. 31, 2022, that destroyed 1000 homes in minutes. Living in western USA, we all know wildfire is a threat around the clock and even in urban areas. As victims of this fire face their[Read More…]
Tag: Wildfires
Burning coal seams pose wildfire risk
RBC I “These mines that are burning in Colorado have been burning for many, many years, some of them over 100 years,” said Tara Tafi, Senior Environmental Protection Specialist for Colorado Department of Natural Resources Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety (DRMS). Tafi oversees the department’s mine fire program, which[Read More…]
Fire above North Elk Creek
RBC | Tuesday afternoon crews responded to a small fire above North Elk Creek near Smizer Gulch. Jurisdiction has not been fully determined. It is very near private property and the Forest boundary. It is estimated at three acres. Crews will be working on the ground in the area. Helicopters[Read More…]
SMOKED …
Smoke from California wildfires has inundated Rio Blanco County over the past week, triggering a plethora of air quality alerts. It’s a good reminder we’re all trapped on this space rock together, for better or worse. Check current conditions at colorado.gov/air-quality or purpleair.com, and sign up for Rio Blanco Alerts[Read More…]
Proximity to gas plant increased Oil Springs fire danger
RBC | Thanks to much needed rain, the hard work of local fire protection crews, more than 300 federal firefighting personnel, and a bit of luck, the 12-thousand-plus acre Oil Springs Fire south of Rangely has calmed down considerably. But things didn’t look quite so positive last week, as exceptional[Read More…]
What do we owe wildland firefighters?
RBC | “It’s like having gasoline out there,” said Brian Steinhardt, forest fire zone manager for Prescott and Coconino national forests in Arizona, in a recent AP story about the increasingly fire-prone West. Now something else is happening — and at the worst possible time. Federal firefighters are leaving the[Read More…]
RBC enters Stage 2 restrictions Friday
RBC | High temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and wind have contributed to the growth of the lightning-caused Oil Springs Fire south of Rangely to more than 12,000 acres, prompting evacuations and multiple road closures, including the closure of Highway 139 — Douglas Pass. In response to fire activity and current[Read More…]
Dragon Fire…
The Dragon Fire, discovered midday Tuesday, June 8, grew to 322 acres by Tuesday evening. The lightning-caused fire is approximately 15 miles south of Rangely in junior and pinyon. Multiple agencies are on scene. Red Flag warnings prohibiting open burning are in place in the county, as fire danger is[Read More…]
Fire preparedness: are you ready?
Advance Preparation Checklist ❏ Prepare an emergency plan using the five P’s–people, pets, prescriptions, papers and priceless items should all be accounted for.❏ Assemble an emergency kit (https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html)❏ Clear away all flammable vegetation from within 30 feet or more of your home. Also, clear 10 feet from propane tanks.❏ Cut[Read More…]
Update: County Road 8 fire 100% contained
RBC | A fire approximately eight miles up County Road 8 had Rio Blanco Fire, BLM, RBC Road and Bridge and Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s office responding early Sunday afternoon on April 11. The sheriff’s office asked the public to stay clear of the area to allow crews to work.[Read More…]
Writers on the Range: We can act now to fight wildfires
RBC | For the 2021 fire season, the writing is on the wall. The West, despite a few days of intense winter, is far drier than it was leading up to last year’s record-breaking fires. As a hotshot crewmember, the reality of what’s to come fills me with two distinct[Read More…]
WREA Crew Assists Wildfire Power Restoration Efforts
RBC | When electric cooperatives send a call for help, it is answered with a resounding “we are on our way” by neighboring coops. Whether it be hurricane damage in the southeast or fire damage at WREA’s neighboring Mountain Parks Electric, dedicated lineman are quick to volunteer to help restore[Read More…]
Come say hi!
The Barone Middle School track team competed and placed well in the meet in West Grand last weekend. The eighth grade boys won the overall meet. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
1 day ago
The Meeker Preschool Roundup will be held this Friday, April 26th from 8am to 4pm!
1 day ago
Gear up for an unforgettable adventure with the 2024 Ride The Rockies Route, set to unfold from June 9th to 15th! Read all about this new and exciting adventure visiting Meeker this year in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
Rangely Panther Kobey Chism (#22) has been selected to play in the 2024 8-man football all-state game. He’s sponsored by the Bleed Green Lancaster #17 Foundation. Story at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District (RBFPD) will begin work on a firebreak northwest of the Town of Meeker this month. Read about it online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
You can always find a reason to laugh... start with yourself. Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
The amount of money reported lost to fraud and scams in the United States nearly tripled from $3.5 billion in 2020 to $10 billion in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Learn the tricks to help protect yourself and your family in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
About 80 Meeker Elementary Students participated in the reading competition. Prizes were distributed according to the most minutes read by each student. Story at ht1885.com.
4 days ago