Bear Gulch Fire Update 5:25 pm

Incident Command reports the helicopter has done an excellent job with nine bucket drops of water.  No more smoke is visible at this time.  The Level 1 evacuation notice remains in place. 

Review the Jefferson County Evcuation Levels:

With large fires occurring every month of the year, evacuations have become more commonplace. We encourage the adage, ‘when in doubt, get out!’ If you feel threatened, go! Keep in mind, in some cases, there is no time for formal evacuation notifications due to quickly changing conditions.

Evacuation Levels

 Level 1: Be Ready
There is an incident in the area. Residents are advised of the level 1 evacuation and are asked to leave if they need additional time to exit an area or have health conditions (especially respiratory conditions that could be made worse by smoke). Residents are encouraged to move livestock and pets out of the area, and to prepare for a full evacuation. Evacuations are voluntary, but residents are encouraged to leave if concerned. There will be no road closures in effect in most cases.
This is when you are thankful you took appropriate planning actions, long before the threat of a wildland fire.

• You’ve already created defensible space by clearing brush and other fuels away from your home.
• You’ve used fire-resistant landscaping and hardened your home with fire-safe construction measures.
• You assembled emergency supplies and belongings in a safe spot.
• You planned escape routes and made sure all those residing within your home know the plan of action.

Level 2: Leave Soon
Residents are notified there is a full evacuation and are informed to leave. Evacuations are mandatory and entry to evacuated areas may be denied. Residents are encouraged to evacuate as soon as possible. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk.

Level 3: Leave Immediately!

Residents are notified there is immediate and imminent danger, and they should evacuate immediately. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. Leave immediately and as quickly as possible. Doing so will not only support your safety, but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources to combat the fire.

Ready, Set, Go!

Don’t let the first time you educate yourself on wildland fire be in the aftermath. Join with us and be a part of Ready, Set, Go! Ready, Set, Go! is designed to teach individuals how to best prepare themselves and their properties against nature’s threats, and how to be best prepared to evacuate.

The Ready, Set, Go! initiative is a three step process, or action plan, to prepare properties long before a fire is upon you; get set to depart from ones home; and to understand the role of evacuation in our area. The initiative significantly increases the safety of the homeowner and family. Not to mention, it allows the firefighters to best do their job of extinguishing the fire, thus increasing the chance of saving homes and loved ones.

Ready

• Make a list of your 5P’s: People, Pets, Pills, Photos and important Papers.
• Shut off natural gas and propane.
• Place metal (not wooden) ladders against the side of your house.
• If time permits, remove combustibles (patio furniture, firewood, etc.) within 30 feet of your home.
• If you have sprinklers (with adequate water supply), place them around your home, connected and ready to be turned on.
• Put on any protective clothing and gear you are not already wearing.
• Close windows and doors to the house to prevent sparks and embers from blowing inside. Close all doors inside the house to prevent draft.
• Take down your drapes and curtains and close all blinds to deflect heat.
• Leave exterior and interior lights on to offer visibility to responders.
• Fill all bathtubs, sinks and other containers with water to deflect heat.

Set

• Take a deep breath and remember your plan. Lives always take priority over property.
• Face your car toward the street and close all windows. Keep the keys handy.
• Load your 5P’s into the car.
• Wear protective clothing made of natural fabrics such as heavy denim, cotton, and pure wool to shield you from heat, embers and flames. Wear sturdy shoes, a long-sleeved shirt tucked into pants, hat, and a handkerchief. Have thick canvas or leather gloves, and light-colored goggles on ready.
• As you leave, post a visible form of notification that identifies that you have evacuated. Hang a white cloth at the end of your driveway. If you have time, write “evacuated” on it.

Go!

• Tune in to the local news radio station and listen for instructions.
• Obey orders of law enforcement and fire department officials.
• Follow the emergency instructions regarding evacuation routes. Your normal route may not be the safest.
• Drive with your headlights on for visibility and safety.
• Do not block access to roadways for emergency vehicles or other evacuees.
• Do not abandon vehicles on the roadway.
• Do not stop to let pets have a break.
• Drive calmly, obey the rules of the road and pay special attention to fire trucks.