In today’s Episode of the Colorado Switchblade, we have some updates on the extreme fire dangers we find ourselves in. This includes burning restrictions issued by the Estes Valley Fire Protection District.
Here is the email sent out:
Subject: Open Burning RESTRICTION (Stage 1)
All affected agencies
David Wolf, Fire Chief Estes Valley Fire Protection District April 22, 2022
Due to continued dry conditions, the danger of wildfire, forest, and grass fires is very high in the Estes Valley. Repeated fire incidents in adjacent jurisdictions also decreases the amount of mutual aid resources available to fight a wildfire once it starts. Pursuant to International Fire Code Section 307.1.1, I hereby issue an open burning RESTRICTION within the Estes Valley Fire Protection District effective 08:00, April 22, 2022.
Please visit https://www.estesvalleyfire.org/fire-restrictions-bans for the most current fire restriction information, including an informational sheet showing what is permitted during Restrictions.
These restrictions are dependent on the current fire danger and will be evaluated regularly. This restriction shall be effective until otherwise lifted or changed by the Fire Chief or his designee. To learn more on preparing your property for the risk of wildfire, please visit our website at: https://www.estesvalleyfire.org/wildfire.
David Wolf, Fire Chief
We have some updates on the Estes Park School District Board of Education meetings, including information on how to speak at Monday’s meeting.
Here is the email sent to the community:
Just a reminder that our regular EPSD Board of Education meeting will be held on Monday, April 25th, 2022 at 6:15 pm via Zoom. The Board of Education will be meeting in person in the Middle School Commons located at 1500 Manford Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517. (Please note that this is a new location).
If you would like to attend the board meeting in-person, please reach out to the board secretary, Heather Gooch (Heather_Gooch@estesschools.org), so that arrangements can be made. We encourage the public to take advantage of the ZOOM link to watch the live stream, or you can watch the meeting recording approximately 24-48 hours after the meeting HERE.
The agenda can be found HERE 24 hours prior to the meeting, and the Zoom meeting link information is at the top of each posted agenda. Additionally, the agendas and minutes can be found on our website at www.estesschools.org/BoardofEducation.
Public Participation is open at the beginning of each regular meeting by reaching out to Board President, Stacy Ferree (Stacy_Ferree@estesschools.org), at least 2 hours prior to the meeting via the following Public Participation Procedure. Please note: you will receive a confirmation that your request to speak publicly has been received.
Meeting minutes are recorded then approved at the following month's meeting (example: September meeting minutes will be approved and posted to the website following October's regular meeting) and the regular board meeting recordings are posted to our EPSD YouTube and on the website within 48 hours (you can subscribe to our channel as well).
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. We hope to see you there!
We speak with local Denali Lawson for our primary interview, who was part of the initial initiative to create Estes Park’s first skate park in the ‘90s.
I also include an announcement of an emergency school closing by the Estes Park School District due to a stomach bug running rampant in the Estes Park Elementary School. Here is the email put out by the district just as I was finishing today’s episode:
EPSD Community,
Due to the continued spread of the stomach bug at the Elementary school, in collaboration with the Larimer County Department of Health, we have been advised to close down the Elementary School Monday and Tuesday.
April 25th and 26th EPES will not have school
April 25th and 26th EPMS and EPHS WILL be in session
Any event at the EPES, including the Bee Hive Party, is canceled.
The custodial staff will be focusing on deep cleaning in the MS and HS this weekend and will focus on deep cleaning EPES Monday and Tuesday.
Why this decision? The incubation period is 24-48 hours, therefore the recommendation from the county is given in order to break this spread to maintain that 48 hours.
As a reminder, your child must be symptom-free for 48 hours prior to returning to school. If you have a sibling in the Middle or High School and your Elementary student is ill, please keep ALL of your children home.
Staff and Teachers are asked to not enter the Elementary School building on Monday or Tuesday unless they have been cleared to do so or are part of the custodial team.
Please refer to the earlier communication regarding the illness information.
Thank you,
EPSD Health Team
04/22/2022, 3:20 pm CORRECTION: I accidentally referred to Fire Chief Wolf as ‘Captain Wolf’ and that was incorrect. It is Fire Chief Wolf.
