Sheriff Communicates as Colorado Burns

A wildfire is a crisis for all in its path, and even for all who might later be in its path. Many just west of Fort Collins, Colorado, are living the nightmare.

A fire of unknown origins is spreading quickly because of dry conditions and wind gusting to 30 mph. It has consumed 8,000 acres and this morning is said to be 0% contained. Already this morning, 800 more emergency notifications have been issued, bringing the total to 1,600. Residents are being quickly evacuated. Those leaving their homes may have to wait days before they know if they have a house to return to.

So far, I see no evidence of businesses being destroyed, but a long-time dude ranch is threatened. This fire has a long way to go before it is brought under control, so it seems likely some businesses will be lost, and jobs along with them.

Information is hard to come by for residents, with one exception that I'll describe in a moment. "Resident Jim Key said he took his motorcycle out Saturday afternoon to look at the fire that was sending a plume of smoke over his Stratton Park subdivision. When he returned, he found sheriff's deputies evacuating his neighborhood....

"'I think it's precautionary more than anything,' he said hopefully.... Key and his wife said they planned to stay with friends Saturday night, but they checked in at the Red Cross evacuation shelter in LaPorte on Saturday hoping to learn more about the fire. As of late Saturday afternoon, no update had arrived. Key said he wished he had more information but understood that emergency officials were busy. 'A lot of things would have to line up on the bad side' for him to lose his house, Key said. "'But then I don't know all the information.'" (http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_20823380/dry-heat-fuels-wildfires-growth-west-fort-collins)

Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith is filling in that information gap. He has held at least one news briefing, which took place Saturday. PIO John Schulz has been quoted in the media and is providing updates through the Sheriff Department's website. His releases also appear on the Larimer County site (http://www.co.larimer.co.us/emergency/emergency_detail.cfm?nam_id=85). In an environment where fears and emotions are running high and specific information is hard to come by, Smith and Schulz, from my safe judgmental perch 1,500 miles away, look like they're doing all they can to keep residents up to date.

At 9 a.m. Denver time, which was less than an hour ago as I write this, Schulz posted his latest news release. (http://www.co.larimer.co.us/news/newsDetail.cfm?id=1522)

"...We do know that the fire did grow significantly overnight but we're waiting for air flights this morning to get an updated number.... Citizen briefings have been scheduled for 9:45 a.m. at Cache La Poudre Middle School in Laporte, and at 10:45 a.m. at the McKee building at the Ranch. Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith and Poudre Fire Authority Chief Tom DeMint will be speaking."

Schulz goes on to give a detailed list of what areas have received evacuation notices. Then this:

"Structures damaged:

"18 structures (a mix of homes and outbuildings) have been confirmed damaged.

"Injuries:

"One firefighter was taken non-emergent by ambulance out of the area for heat exhaustion yesterday." (I'll excuse the use of "non-emergent" given the pressure of the situation.)

The release updates the roads closed and lists resources at the scene:

"250 ground and engine crews are fighting the fire. There are 15 engines and 3 water tenders on scene," and then he lists the helicopters, air attack control plane, a lead plane, and two heavy air tankers. The release provides an all-important weather forecast. ("Temperatures are expected to be lower today but probably (won't) impact the fire but will affect firefighter comfort. Humidity will be in the single digits. Winds are expected to be 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. The wind is driving the fire and at time(s) is capable of moving at 1.5 miles per hour.")

There's an emergency information number, the county web address, the sheriff's Twitter address, and a way to sign up for automatic emergency notifications via cell phone or email.

This 9 a.m. update, by the way, follows a 5:55 a.m. update, a 5:36 a.m. update, an 11:31 p.m. update.... You get the picture. Communicating often during a crisis like this shows residents they can depend on the Sheriff's office to share with them what information they have. And it should give them confidence that they'll be told the status of their homes just as soon as that information becomes known. A shortage of fire news would lead to more anxiety and frustration, turning to anger.

Larimer County has had wildfires before. I'm guessing local officials have learned from the past, and I'm hoping they have a written crisis communications plan that is guiding them this time.