Last updated: Sept. 9, 7:37 p.m.
Forecasters are calling for wind gusts as high as 50 mph starting after about 6 p.m. Thursday and lasting into early-morning hours, according to a City of Boulder news release.
Based on current projections and the proximity of existing fire, officials are closely monitoring neighborhoods west of Broadway from and including Spruce Street on the south to the city limits outside of the Dakota Ridge subdivision on the north, according to the Boulder Office of Emergency Management. Officials are saying residents in those areas should be prepared for a possible evacuation should the winds add further fuel to the fire Thursday night.
City officials said that they are working to put emergency plans in effect. Some specific efforts include mowing grass along the western edge of the city to reduce fuel around residential areas, planning for possible evacuations and sharing information with the community, the release said.
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City officials said they are hopeful more residents won’t have to evacuate.
“We are certainly hoping for the best, but as a city, we are doing the very things we would urge residents to do – staying vigilant and planning for the worst,” said City Manager Jane S. Brautigam. “While city neighborhoods have been spared a direct impact so far, this remains a volatile situation. There are concerns about the fire’s path becoming less predictable and the possibility of spot fires from embers.”
Residents who live west of Broadway and north of Spruce are specifically encouraged to exercise precaution. Residents in this area are urged to mow their lawns, move combustibles off of lawns, keep all windows and doors closed if possible and be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice, according to the release. A list of more specific tips is available here.
Brautigam said the important part at this point is for families to be prepared.
“We are incredibly grateful for all of the work firefighters from near and far have done since Monday, and we are committed to continuing to help in all ways that we can,” Brautigam said. “We hope for good news soon, but we want our residents to know that the danger has not yet passed. This is an ideal time for families to develop a plan that could be implemented on a moment’s notice.”
The fire department website includes information about wildfires, including specific tips on preparing for possible evacuations. This site can be accessed here.
If a request to evacuate becomes necessary, residents are urged to do so immediately to help save lives and give firefighters the ability to bring in necessary equipment and crews to protect properties.
“If we reach an emergency situation, we will do everything we can to respond,” Brautigam said. “We will need full cooperation from residents. I know we can count on that from our community.”
Contact CU Independent Breaking News Editor Ellie Bean at Beanee@colorado.edu.
