Governor Polis and Public Safety Leaders Provide Fire Response Update, Visit Evacuation Shelter

LARIMER COUNTY – Today, Governor Polis met with public safety leaders at Loveland Fire Station 7 to discuss the wildfire response efforts happening across the front range and western slope, including in Larimer, Jefferson, Delta, and Boulder Counties, to protect Coloradans, communities, and lands. The Governor was joined by Congressman Joe Neguse, Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson, Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen, Department of Public Safety Director Stan Hilkey, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control Wildland Fire Management Section Chief Vaughn Jones, Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Kevin Klein and U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester Troy Heithecker.

“Our brave first responders are working around the clock to fight the fires across the Front Range and Western Slope to protect Coloradans, our communities, property, and lands. The state is providing majorsupport to help manage and contain these fires as quickly as possible and following my authorization, the National Guard is assisting where needed. My thoughts are with the families evacuated, displaced, and impacted by these terrifying fires,” said Governor Polis.

The state is actively monitoring fires across the state and will continue to provide necessary resources to contain fires and provide support to affected Coloradans. Earlier today, Governor Polis gave verbal authorization for members of the Colorado National Guard to support the ongoing firefighting efforts to respond to the Currant Creek, Alexander Mountain, Stone Mountain, and Quarry Fires. The Colorado State Emergency Operations Center is working closely with local emergency managers to determine what assistance is needed and where. The National Guard is at the ready to support security and traffic control, working closely with local law enforcement to determine what support is needed and when. Yesterday, Governor Polis issued verbal declarations of disaster emergency for the Currant Creek, Alexander Mountain, Stone Mountain fires.

This morning, Governor Polis gave a verbal declaration of a disaster emergency in response to the new Quarry Fire in Jefferson County which started Tuesday night. This activates the State Emergency Operations Plan and directs the Department of Public Safety and its Divisions of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) to take all necessary and appropriate actions to assist with response, recovery, and mitigation efforts for the Quarry Fire.

Governor Polis also visited a Red Cross evacuation shelter at Foundation Church in Loveland to thank volunteers, and visit with Coloradans who have been evacuated from their homes. Evacuation shelters are providing Coloradans with meals, snacks, water, minor medical assistance if needed, and overnight shelter. Over 60 volunteer organizations with more than 100 volunteers are providing direct support at shelters across the front range and western slope.

Later today, Governor Polis will visit the Stone Mountain Command Center in Lyons. Governor Polis will visit to thank emergency responders for their work to keep Coloradans and the community safe from Stone Mountain Fire burning in the area.

Through a comprehensive, government-wide approach, the State of Colorado is supporting the response, management and containment of the Stone Mountain Fire in Boulder County, the Currant Creek Fire in Delta County, the Alexander Mountain Fire in Larimer County, the Ed Joe Draw Fire in San Miguel County, and the Quarry Fire in Jefferson County. Resources include the FIREHAWK® and crew, three air tankers, two multi-mission aircraft, two Type-2 helicopters and crews, fire engines, firefighter crews, intelligence and management support, communications support, road closure assistance, traffic control, shelter and volunteer support, veterinary medical teams, and drone operations. Response efforts also include federal aviation resources as well as a Douglas County helicopter. In coordination with local partners these resources are moved from fire to fire quickly to urgently assist where they are needed most.

Coloradans are encouraged to sign up for county emergency alerts to receive life saving emergency alerts and evacuation information from their local public safety agency. Links to sign up for emergency alerts are posted to the DHSEM website.

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