Beulah Hill Fire Response Update: Friday, October 7, 2016
Pueblo, CO, Friday, October 7, 2016, 1:00 P.M. MDT – The American Red Cross continues to support reentry and recovery efforts for the people affected by the Beulah Hill Fire. Reentry into the evacuated area has begun and those that were staying at the Red Cross shelter have departed.
 |
| CJ Mather helping Red Cross volunteer LaurieAnn Riddock at Red Cross shelter in Pueblo. |
The shelter, located at the Southwest Motors Event Center at the Colorado State Fairgrounds, has been placed on stand-by status. In the event that the shelter is needed it can be reactivated quickly. The shelter will officially close on Saturday, October 8, 2016.
More than 400 meals were served from the shelter with more than 30 people using the facility for support each day.
As people left the shelter to return to their homes there were hugs and thanks for the Red Cross support. One resident said that she had never been in that situation before but would be much more supportive of the Red Cross sheltering effort in the future.
There were many groups and organization who donated water, food, towels and other supplies. While we won’t be able thank everyone the Red Cross would like thank the following organizations for their support that helped us help those in need:
Applebees
Old Chicago
Starbucks (southside)
Lowe’s (southside)
Sonic
The Salvation Army
Pueblo City County Health Department
Colorado State Fair
Roncalli STEM Academy
Black Hills Energy
Behavioral Health Response Team
Community Animal Rescue Team
Pueblo County Sheriff
All of the Fire Fighters from Pueblo and surrounding communities as well as the Type III and Type II wildfire teams.
Most importantly we would like to thanks all of the event-based volunteers who stepped up to help their neighbors.
For information about the fire and evacuations please visit www.puebloemergency.info.
If you would like to be a Red Cross volunteer so that we have the resources we need to take care of local disasters and emergencies please visit www.redcross.org/colorado/volunteer.
—————————————————————————————————–
Beulah Hill Fire Response Update: Thursday, October 6, 2016 4:30 PM
As containment progress continues on the Beulah Hills Fire, Pueblo County Sheriff and the Type II Incident Management Team continue to try and open areas to allow people to return to their homes. Phase three of reentry has opened up additional areas for repopulation, Some areas continue to be restricted. For the latest fire and recovery information visit puebloemergency.info or call 719-583-4640.
The Red Cross has partnered with Pueblo County and other organizations to support a Disaster Assistance center. At this center people who were affected by the Beulah Hill Fire can find information about any assistance resources that are available to help with recovery. The DAC is located at the Colorado State Fairgrounds 4H Center.
What is at the DAC?
Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office will provide permit access to those able to return home.
 |
| Red Cross kit with first aid supplies available at the DAC photo by Ray Granado/American Red Cross |
Pueblo City County Health Department will be at the DAC to provide free tetanus shots to help protect those involved in cleanup. They can also provide water testing equipment for anyone concerned about water quality.
Care and Share will provide food boxes (1 per family) to people returning to their homes.
Several other organizations will be at the DAC offering a variety of services that will help with recovery.
The Red Cross is on sight with caseworkers to talk with those affected about their next steps toward recovery. Those steps will include referrals to community resources, advice on cleanup and information about how people can be ready for any emergency.
The Disaster Assistance Center will be open until 9:00 P.M. this evening to accommodate people that are allowed to go back to their homes. Friday through Sunday the DAC will be open from 10 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
———————————————————————————————–
Beulah Hill Fire Response Update: Thursday 2:00 P.M.
Phase 2 of Reentry plan began today and several more families were allowed back in their homes. To find out more information about the reentry plan and how it might affect you or your home please go to puebloemergency.info. Information is also available at the Joint Information Center in Pueblo using the phone number (719) 583-4640.
Disaster Assistance Center Opened in Pueblo
Pueblo County has established a Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) that is open from 10 AM to 4 PM each day. The DAC is located in the 4H building of the Colorado State Fairgrounds. At
 |
| Red Cross and Salvation Army volunteers at the DAC ready to hand out cleanup kits. Photo by Bill Fortune |
the DAC people can get the latest information about reentry and recovery. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are providing cleanup kits and you can meet with a Red Cross caseworker to kearn about resources available to those affected by the Beulah Hill Fire.
Anyone that is going back to their home must go through a permit process at the DAC.
For more information visit puebloemergency.info or call (719) 583-4640.
______________________________________________________________________
Beulah Hill Fire Response Update: Thursday, October 6, 2016
Red cross continues to support the people evacuated due to the Beulah Hill Fire. Phase one of reentry occurred overnight allowing repopulation for some of the evacuated area. Please see puebloemergency.info for the latest evacuations an reentry information.
The Red Cross will participate in the Disaster Assistance Center that will open today at 10:00 A.M. Red Cross caseworkers will be on hand to provide information about accessing Red Cross support for recovery. Clean up kits will be available for those homes that are allowed to be repopulated.
The Red Cross continues to operate a shelter at the Southwest Motors Event Center. As temperatures fall tonight those needing shelter should take advantage of this facility to have a safe, warm place to stay.
————————————————————————————————————-
Beulah Hill Fire Response Update:Wednesday, October 5, 2016
COMMUNITY MEETING FOR BEULAH HILL FIRE EVACUEES
A community meeting has been scheduled for 5:30 PM at Roncalli STEM Academy located at 4202 CO-78, Pueblo, CO. This meeting is for people who have been affected by the Beulah Hill Fire.
Red Cross continues to support the people who have been affected by the Beulah Hill Fire. Thirty-six people ate breakfast at the shelter that is located at the Southwest Motors Event Center at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo. Overnight shelter registration count remained at 30.
 |
| Red Cross volunteer Rich Garcia talks with John Clay at the Red Cross shelter. Mr. Clay was evacuated due to the Beulah Hill Fire. Photo by Bill Fortune/ American Red Cross |
Our disaster responders continue to coordinate with local, state and federal governments and with the Southern Colorado Volunteer organizations Active in Disaster (SCVOAD) to make sure that immediate needs are being met.
How can I donate items?
For the most part, ample supplies and equipment are available for fire fighters and for those staying at the Red Cross shelter. The best way to find out what items are needed is to visit www.helpcoloradonow.org. Click on the Beulah Hill Fire tab to get access to donation information. Financial donations can also be made at that site.
Can I volunteer to help?
If you are looking to help within the community to support those affected by the fire please visit www.helpcoloradonow.org and click on the Beulah Hill Fire tab. If you are interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer you can vist www.redcross.org/colorado and click on the VOLUNTEER tab.
Where can I get more information about the fire?
The Pueblo County Sheriff maintains a couple of sites that can provide up to date information.
Web site www.puebloemergency.info
Facebook: Pueblo County Sheriff
Twitter: @pueblocoountyso
Reentry Information
In the days to come people will be allowed back into their homes, Some of the homes may have fire and smoke damage, some may have been sprayed by fire retardant and those without electricity will likely have spoiled food. There is also a concern about wild animals that may be in the area searching for food. The Red Cross will be part of the recovery process and when areas are opened to allow a return to homes there will be clean up kits and other supplies available to help with the cleanup. More information will be provided when these materials are available.
For the latest information about how to handle reentry please go to Pueblo County Health Department website. Here are some additional helpful tips:
Returning Home & Recovering after a Wildfire
- Do not enter your home until fire officials say it is safe.
- Use caution when entering burned areas as hazards may still exist, including hot spots, which can flare up without warning.
- Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles and downed wires.
- Watch for ash pits and mark them for safety—warn family and neighbors to keep clear of the pits also.
- Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control. Hidden embers and hot spots could burn your pets’ paws or hooves.
- Follow public health guidance on safe cleanup of fire ash and safe use of masks.
- Wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.
- Wear leather gloves and heavy soled shoes to protect hands and feet.
- Cleaning products, paint, batteries and damaged fuel containers need to be disposed of properly to avoid risk.
- Ensure your food and water are safe
- Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.
- Do NOT ever use water that you think may be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.
Inspecting your home
- If there is no power, check to make sure the main breaker is on. Fires may cause breakers to trip. If the breakers are on and power is still not present, contact the utility company.
- Inspect the roof immediately and extinguish any sparks or embers. Wildfires may have left burning embers that could reignite.
- For several hours afterward, recheck for smoke and sparks throughout the home, including the attic. The winds of wildfires can blow burning embers anywhere. Keep checking your home for embers that could cause fires.
- Take precautions while cleaning your property. You may be exposed to potential health risks from hazardous materials.
- Debris should be wetted down to minimize health impacts from breathing dust particles.
- Use a two-strap dust particulate mask with nose clip and coveralls for the best minimal protection.
- Wear leather gloves to protect hands from sharp objects while removing debris.
- Wear rubber gloves when working with outhouse remnants, plumbing fixtures, and sewer piping. They can contain high levels of bacteria.
- Hazardous materials such as kitchen and bathroom cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel, and damaged fuel containers need to be properly handled to avoid risk. Check with local authorities for hazardous disposal assistance.
- If you have a propane tank system, contact a propane supplier. Turn off valves on the system, and leave valves closed until the supplier inspects your system.
- If you have a heating oil tank system, contact a heating oil supplier for an inspection of your system before using.
- Visually check the stability of the trees. Any tree that has been weakened by fire may be a hazard.
- Look for burns on the tree trunk. If the bark on the trunk has been burned off or scorched by very high temperatures completely around the circumference, the tree will not survive and should be considered unstable.
- Look for burnt roots by probing the ground with a rod around the base of the tree and several feet away from the base. If the roots have been burned, you should consider this tree very unstable.
- A scorched tree is one that has lost part or all of its leaves or needles. Healthy deciduous trees are resilient and may produce new branches and leaves as well as sprouts at the base of the tree. Evergreen trees may survive when partially scorched but are at risk for bark beetle attacks.
————————————————————————————
Beulah Hill Fire Response UPDATE – Tuesday, October 4, 2016 3:00 P.M.
Red Cross Consolidates Shelters for Beulah Hill Fire Evacuees
Shelter Remains Open at Colorado State Fairgrounds
Pueblo, CO, Tuesday, October 4, 2016, 3:00 P.M. MDT – The American Red Cross continues to support the people from the Beulah Valley and Beulah who have been evacuated by the fast moving wildfire.
In an effort to provide the best possible shelter support the two shelters previously opened for the Beulah Hill Fire have been consolidated into one shelter. The shelter is located at the Southwest Motors Event Center at the Colorado State Fairground in Pueblo. The street address for the Colorado State Fairgrounds is 1001 Beulah Ave, Pueblo, Co. Entrance to the Fairgrounds is at the Beulah Gate on the east end of the grounds.
Anyone who has been evacuated due to the Beulah Hill Fire can go to the Southwest Motors Event Center where Red Cross volunteers will provide comfort, hope and a warm meal.
 |
| Red Cross volunteer helps serve lunch at the Roncalli Shelter. Lunch was provided by Applebees in Pueblo. Photo by Bill Fortune/American Red Cross |
As usual, we are impressed by the outpouring of generosity and kindness from the Pueblo and surrounding communities. At this time we are working with partners, nonprofits organizations and businesses to help make the situation easier to deal with. People who want to donate items to help those evacuated are urged to call the Donation Line at 719-583-4662. We are coordinating those requests and immediate needs with the Southern Colorado Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster so that we have a joint response effort.
Shelter Location:
Southwest Motors Event Center, Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave, Pueblo.
Small pets should be taken to the Pueblo Animal Services located at 4600 Eagle Ridge Place in Pueblo. Large animals should be taken to the Colorado State Fairgrounds Gate 6.
For the latest Red Cross information please see our blog at http://coloradoredcross.blogspot.com/2016/10/evacuation-for-beulah-hill-fire.html. Follow us on Twitter as @ppredcross.
For information about the fire and evacuations please visit www.puebloemergency.info.
Want to volunteer to help local organizations in their effort to help the evacuees? Please visit www.helpcoloradonow.org and sign up as a volunteer. That site also has information about donations.
If you would like to be a Red Cross volunteer so that we have the resources we need to take care of local disasters and emergencies please visit www.redcross.org/colorado/volunteer.
Beulah Fire Response UPDATE – Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Two shelters remain open for those people affected by the Beulah Hills Fire that is just west of Pueblo, Colorado.
Roncalli Middle School – 30 people were registered at the shelter
Southwest Motors Event Center – 4 people registered at the shelter
While some people slept in the shelter, people also slept in their cars just outside the shelter. In most cases the people outside chose to stay in their cars with their pets.
Pet sheltering is available at no cost from Pueblo Animal Services located at 4600 Eagle Ridge Pl. Large animals can be housed at the Colorado State Fair grounds (enter through Gate 6).
Red Cross volunteers will continue to be at the two shelters to provide comfort and support.
In kind donations:The Red Cross and Pueblo County currently have adequate supplies to support the evacuees and fire responders. Please hold your donations until they are called for.
Want to Volunteer? The Red Cross is accepting volunteer applications for those interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer. Please visit our website www.redcross.org/colorado/volunteeer to begin the application process. All volunteers must complete a background check and basic Red Cross shelter training.
———————————————————————————————————-
Beulah Hill Fire Update – 10:30 PM Monday, October 3, 2016
Due to expanded evacuation requirements and at the request of Pueblo County Emergency Management the Red Cross will be opening a second shelter in Pueblo. The second shelter will be located in the Southwest Motors Event Center at the Colorado State Fairground and should be available for evacuees by midnight. Evacuees can enter the Fairgrounds through the Beulah Gate (east end of Fairgrounds).
The shelter at Roncalli Middle School will remain open overnight.
—————————————————————————————————
Beulah Hill Fire Update – 8:55 p.m. Monday, October 3, 2016
The evacuation center at Roncalli Middle School in Pueblo has been activated as an overnight shelter to house people evacuated due to the Beulah Mountain Fire. Cots have been set up and Red Cross volunteers are on scene to provide support. The shelter is located at Roncalli Middle School, 4202 CO-78, Pueblo, Colorado, 81005.
 |
| Health department volunteers and Red Corssers set up cots at the Roncalli MS shelter, Photo by Dave Duran/American Red Cross |
If you are evacuated due to the Beulah Hill Fire, or, if you feel threatened by the fire you are welcome at the Roncalli shelter. People with respiratory problems that have decided to evacuate the area on their own are also welcome at the shelter.
What to bring to a Red Cross Shelter:
Basic need items like cots, blankets, food and water are available at the shelter. Please try to bring your own pillow and any special need items like medications or comfort items.
—————————————————————————————————-
- Beulah Hill Fire Update-6:30 P.M. Monday, October 3, 2016
- The Red Cross evacuation center remains open at Roncalli Middle School in Pueblo. Evacuation orders and preevacuation orders continue to be issued for areas of western Pueblo County as the wildfire continues to be pushed along by strong gusty winds.
Red Cross provided water to fire fighters. Photo by
Dave Duran/American Red - Pueblo volunteers provided water to the fire responders to help keep them stay hydrated. According to a Red Cross volunteer the responders were very appreciative. Our partners,The Salvation Army, will provide an evening meal.
- Donations: We are currently well supplied with resources to support the evacuation center and the fire fighters. Those wishing to donate inkind items should please hold on to them and if they become needed we will announce that to the public through social and traditional media.
- For the latest fire and evacuation information go to puebloemergency.info
- If you are faced with an evacuation notice here are some tips to help you.
- Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
- Listen to local radio and television stations for updated emergency information.
- Always back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape.
- Confine pets to one room so that you can find them if you need to evacuate quickly.
- Arrange for temporary housing at a friend or relative’s home outside the threatened area.
- Listen and watch for air quality reports and health warnings about smoke.
- Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors to prevent outside smoke from getting in.
- Use the recycle or re-circulate mode on the air conditioner in your home or car. If you do not have air conditioning and it is too hot to stay inside with closed windows, seek shelter elsewhere.
- When smoke levels are high, do not use anything that burns and adds to indoor air pollution, such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves. Do not vacuum because it stirs up particles that are already inside your home.
- If you have asthma or another lung disease, follow your health care provider’s advice and seek medical care if your symptoms worsen.
- If you have pets or animals make sure you consider their needs during an evacuation
- When evacuating make sure you have alternate routes just in case your primary route is closed.
——————————————————————————————
Update at 4:00 P.M. Red Cross evacuation center remains open at Roncolli Middle School in Pueblo. Pets should be taken to the Pueblo Animal Services located at 4600 Eagle Ridge Pl in Pueblo. Large animals should be taken to the Colorado State Fairgrounds.
————————————————————————————————
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.