Fire recovery update and thanks from the commissioners
Dear Editor:
As we write this, more evacuation zones on the Lee Fire are being downgraded. Firefighters have contained 60% of the fire’s perimeter and Highway 13 has reopened. A new Incident Management Team will continue work on the Lee Fire, and we will begin the work of recovery.
We’ve posted links to recovery resources on our website, rbc.us. If you are overwhelmed, you’re not alone; there are links to crisis counseling and CSUs ‘After the Disaster’ guidebook to help you begin the post fire recovery process.
In coming weeks, Rio Blanco County and partners will be assessing damage, evaluating and re-evaluating recovery needs. We’ve established work recovery areas to address these needs and appointed leads for each focus area. This coalition will guide the recovery process when state emergency managers depart on Friday afternoon.
The Mitigation and Restoration Group is focused on natural resources and agriculture. This team is working with ag producers and land agencies to identify needs and assess fire impacts. They’ve compiled recovery information for landowners and ag producers on the White River & Douglas Creek Conservation District’s website: www.whiterivercd.com.
The Infrastucture Recovery Work Area is assessing damage to utilities, roads and bridges, and potential impacts to Rangely water systems.
Public & Environmental Health/Debris Management is providing safety guidance and behavioral health support for community members returning to properties in the fire area. This group will provide guidance for moving debris from damaged structures to the landfill.
The Planning & Building Work Area will address building and permitting needs later in the recovery process as rebuilding begins.
The Individual Needs Work Area will support housing, food, adult and essential needs.
The Economic Health Work Area will assess economic and business impacts and facilitate communication with businesses and employers.
Data & Information Management will collate damage assessment data in cooperation with a BLM Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team and the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
Financial & Grants Management will track and oversee local, state and federal funding.
Each work area is researching funding opportunities specific to its focus.
Community recovery needs will be evaluated on an ongoing basis and work areas are subject to change as new information becomes available.
We thank you for your patience and support as we build a framework for the work ahead.
Jennifer O’Hearon
Doug Overton
Callie Scritchfield
Rio Blanco County Commissioners
Gratitude to local and Federal firefighters from Robinson family
Dear Editor:
The Lee wildfire burned past Mom and Dad’s house with intensity in the wee hours of Aug. 9 and then burned back to the house on the afternoon and evening of Aug. 14. An engine crew from Meeker helped us fight the fire and save the house on the 9th. Federal wildland firefighters helped us repeat the performance on the 14th. Helicopters were a tremendous help. The crews that kept them working did a great service. Also, Chet Dieringer distinguished himself by resisting drama, keeping a cool head, gathering primary source data, and seeking understanding before taking decisive action. As we have observed time and again, the team from the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s office was wonderful. Please convey our appreciation to all of these public servants. Thank you!
Collin Robinson
Piceance Creek
Wildfires and losing our possessions
Dear Editor:
In the recent wildfires, we’ll all been worrying about losing our homes and possessions. The imagines of a charred house with every item burned to a crisp is daunting. Fortunately, in the Meeker fire, most of us were spared these losses.
For us, our Meeker house is safe, but some bookcases and books stored on the family ranch have been lost. Our beautiful furniture from our Denver house is burnt beyond recognition. We worked very hard to save money to purchase these items and enjoyed them for many years. Now they are ashes.
Also stored there were many books – tabletop travel books, gobs of novels, Jay’s Ph.D. research books and papers, and our son’s college books. We’ve always loved to read and in the days prior to digital downloads, bought and read books constantly.
When we moved, I donated many books to schools, to the library, and to book sales. It is heart breaking to say farewell to your beloved books along with your house and community. We still had more books that I boxed put into storage in the grainary. Now most are gone.
People often use that phrase “just possessions.” On the one hand that is true and if we have our lives, we can move on without books or all the other stuff we’ve acquired over seventy plus years.
On the other hand, the very thought and worry of losing these things brings tears to our eyes and much sadness along with the despondency we are already experiencing. It feels like we all came extremely close to losing our cherished possessions.
I worried about my jewelry which includes gifts husband Jay has given me since the beginning of our marriage plus every birthday and Christmas since. In the big picture, they are just things I could live without. But, I would miss them forever.
There wasn’t time to select and pack many possessions for a quick evacuation. I’ve been updating my list of “what to take” so it is easier to make decisions when choices have to be made quickly. That is difficult too, choosing what is most beloved and what must remain behind and possibly lost.
Yes, we are Meeker strong and we will continue with grit and determination. With the fires pretty much under control and evacuation concerns over, perhaps it is time to take a moment and be so very happy for everything we did not lose.
Kaye Sullivan
Meeker
