RBC | Beginning Friday, most ranger districts on the White River National Forest will lift fire restrictions. The Aspen-Sopris, Blanco, Eagle-Holy Cross, and Rifle ranger districts are lifting restrictions Friday as fire danger has decreased with the recent snow. The Dillon Ranger District is coordinating with Summit County and will[Read More…]
Tag: Wildfires
Fire season is not over
RBC | Extreme drought and fire conditions continue to plague Northwest Colorado as we head into mid-autumn. According to Rio Blanco County Sheriff Anthony Mazzola, last week the Rio Blanco Fire Protection District responded to five human-start fires, four of which were allegedly started by hunters in the forest. “We[Read More…]
Conservation Corner: Aug. 20, 2020
Forest Health and Wildfire What is hydrophobicity and why are hydrophobic soils significant? Many resources are dependent upon each other, leaving no room for error in one without affecting several others. Severe fires burning with high intensity impact the soil, forest, and watershed health for many years to come. After[Read More…]
Letter to the Editor: Aug. 20, 2020
Fire is beneficial to the range Dear Editor: I was very excited to read BLM Deputy Director William Pendley’s article in last week’s HT about the value of fire to our western ranges and his claim that the BLM was using fire as a land management tool. He even cited[Read More…]
OPINION: Fighting western wildfires
RBC | It is the height of fire season in the American West, with temperatures at triple-digits across the Great Basin and lightning-ladened monsoons sweeping the arid landscape. Thus, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and interagency, state and local allies are fighting wildfires to protect natural resources, neighbors, and[Read More…]
Fire at top of 7th Street in Meeker: UPDATED
UPDATE as of 4:04 p.m.: According to authorities, the fire has been contained and mop-up is underway. Crews are responding to a fire at the top of 7th St. near the water tower in Meeker. Flames are visible for several blocks, and there are reports power lines are in danger.[Read More…]
Smoke gets in your eyes…
A huge smoke cloud has blanketed Rio Blanco County this week, triggering multiple air quality alerts. Above, smoke hovers over downtown Meeker. According to the CDC, inhaling wildfire smoke can trigger coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, stinging eyes, runny nose, irritated sinuses, tiredness and a rapid heartbeat. Recommendations[Read More…]
Air quality alerts go out as Western Slope is swathed in fires
RBC | The Grizzly Creek Fire is burning in the White River National Forest near Glenwood Springs and has closed I-70 indefinitely. Smoke from this blaze, and the Pine Gulch Fire near Grand Junction, are affecting air quality in Rio Blanco County. With one of the largest wildfires in the[Read More…]
Fire Update: July 16, 2020
The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team took command of the Fawn Creek, Stewart and Wolf fires early Wednesday. Thursday afternoon they issued an update on the firefighting efforts: “Aerial resources supporting the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires assisted with the initial attack of a new fire west of[Read More…]
New fire start
A new fire has been reported west of Meeker on the eastern edge of the Black Mountain Wilderness Study Area. Bureau of Land Management crews are working on it. It’s been named the Grassy Fire with 30 acres burned as of 1:45 p.m. July 15.
Air Quality Alert issued for RBC
RBC | An air quality alert has been issued for Rio Blanco County due to wildfire smoke. The alert is in effect until 9 a.m. Wednesday. The very young and very old or those with underlying health conditions should remain indoors. If visibility is less than five miles, levels of[Read More…]
Wildland fire update
The Fawn Creek Fire in the Piceance Basin is reported at 930 acres as of 10:19 a.m. on July 14 by the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination System. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been dispatched. An update from county officials is expected later today on the status of the[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.
2 days ago
The Meeker Preschool Roundup will be held this Friday, April 26th from 8am to 4pm!
2 days 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.
3 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.
3 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.
4 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.
4 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.
5 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.
5 days ago