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IMPORTANT Wildfire Resources

May 3, 2016 Issues: Agriculture, Energy Environment and Public Lands
Ox Cart fire in Rio Grande National Forest in 2013

Active Fire Updates

For the most up-to-date information on Colorado fires please visit: http://www.coemergency.com/ or http://inciweb.nwcg.gov.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/COEmergency

Twitter:@coemergency

For a list of local emergency resources and updates by county please click here.

Air Quality

For regular updates on the Colorado smoke outlook and air quality visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website.

Evacuation Instructions

From the American Red Cross:

Getting In Touch With Loved Ones: Due to the widespread nature of the wildfires and the memory of last year’s busy wildfire season, out-of-area family and friends may be particularly concerned about loved ones in and around metro areas in many parts of Colorado. People living in the affected areas and the surrounding communities are encouraged to update their social media with their safe status; you can also register yourself as safe through the Red Cross Wildfire Mobile app or by registering on the Red Cross Safe and Well site, www.redcross.org/safeandwell.

Individuals looking for the status of loved ones are encouraged to utilize social media and text rather than calling during disasters, and may check for the status of loved ones on the Red Cross Safe and Well site; please note that there may be a delay as loved ones first evacuate to a safe place before they register themselves as safe.

If you are evacuating: Anyone evacuating to a Red Cross shelter should bring essential items for each member of the family:

  • Prescriptions and emergency medications
  • Foods that meet unusual dietary requirements
  • Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items
  • Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and toys and special items for family members who are elderly or disabled

They should also try to contact their relatives to let them know where they are and how they are doing

Wildfire Safety: If a fire is threatening your neighborhood, you should listen to local media for updated fire information and be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Other steps include:

  • Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape.
  • Confine your pets to one room so you can find them if you need to leave quickly.
  • Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors.
  • Use the recycle or recirculate mode on your air conditioner in your home or car. If you don’t have air conditioning and it’s too hot to stay inside with closed windows, seek shelter elsewhere."

Additional information from the Red Cross available here.

Preventative Measures to Protect Your Property

Courtesy of Colorado State University:

Guidelines can be downloaded in their entirety.

Or, click on the links below to read about the individual topics contained within the guidelines: