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…]
Tag: Fire
Kaye’s Corner: Wildfire evacuation
MEEKER | Sadly, wildfire season is back. It’s only early April and Rio Blanco County has a serious fire. Jay and I saw it erupt while on a leisurely drive upriver on Sunday afternoon. The smoke spread rapidly and as we returned to town, we could see the fires spreading[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…]
Local BLM wildland firefighters make national news for note
Meeker | Wildland firefighters from the BLM’s White River Field Office in Meeker made state and national news this week for leaving a handwritten note at a home in the path of the East Troublesome Fire in Grand County. Kyle Frary, Landon Smith and Beau Steele of Engine No. 1446[Read More…]
Guest Column: Fire! Evacuate!
MEEKER | This is an unexpected “smells of Meeker” story addition to the “Sounds of Meeker” series. On Friday afternoon, I started smelling “campfire” smoke, meaning, smoke nearby, not the less intense odors from the ongoing western Colorado wildfires. It seemed like it was coming from just outside our door,[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…]
Lion Fire burns 229 acres, structures and vehicles; full containment expected today
UPDATED 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 8 MEEKER | Fire crews from the Meeker Volunteer Fire Department, BLM, the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office and the state’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control responded to a fire in Lion’s Canyon about 3 miles west of Meeker at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. The[Read More…]
Fire at remote cabin reportedly claims two lives
UPDATE: According to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Monday, county road and bridge crews are working to get heavy equipment to the site of a cabin fire off of County Rd. 14 southeast of Meeker. Deep snow and the remote location of the site have made accessing the cabin[Read More…]
UPDATE: Hunt Fire 10% contained as of Wednesday
Firefighters from the Northwest Colorado Interagency Fire Management Unit continue to manage the Hunt Fire on Bureau of Land Management land about 26 miles southwest of Meeker in Rio Blanco County. Lightning ignited the fire on Thursday, Sept. 5. It is remotely located, burning in thick brush on ridges and[Read More…]
HISTORY ON REPEAT …
The Museum of Northwest Colorado—Craig shared this photo of a wildfire just above town in Meeker sometime during the 1920s-30s. MUSEUM OF NORTHWEST COLORADO | COURTESY PHOTO
Fire on county road 8…
Multiple agencies responded Tuesday to a controlled burn that got out of hand at Westlands, more than 20 miles up County Road 8 in eastern Rio Blanco County.