In a news briefing Wednesday afternoon, Estes Park Police Chief Ian Stewart said the Estes Valley community needs to be prepared to leave in case things take a turn for the worse with the Alexander Mountain Fire.
While there are no evacuation orders in place currently for Estes Park — Larimer County has issued a voluntary evacuation issued at 4:30 p.m. for Glen Haven and the area west towards Dark Mountain and Boulder County issued evacuation orders earlier for an area near Lake Shore Drive and Gross Reservoir to the east of Nederland — Stewart wants people in the Estes Valley to be aware of the rapidly changing situation.
Stewart also said he is aware of the importance of tourism to the local economy, but as the town’s police chief, it is his job to protect the residents, visitors, and businesses from danger. Everyone should be prepared for the possibility of an evacuation advisory or order.
Stewart stressed that in both Estes Park and Larimer County officials do not use the term “pre-evacuate,” and he wanted to make sure that residents and guests in the Estes Valley know the difference between the terms “voluntary evacuation” and “mandatory evacuation.”
A voluntary evacuation advisory means that residents and businesses are advised to leave the area if they are concerned for their safety or if they would need additional time to exit the area if a mandatory evacuation order were issued.
This would include individuals with health conditions that may be aggravated by smoke or people who have mobility or other health concerns. Under a voluntary evacuation advisory, people are encouraged to move livestock and pets out of the area and to be prepared for the possibility of a mandatory evacuation order.
In the case of a mandatory evacuation order, residents and businesses are ordered to leave as quickly as possible without delay due to immediate and imminent danger.
Stewart said while this is a free country and authorities are not going to “grab someone by the collar” and force them to leave, a mandatory evacuation is a serious order and should be acted up immediately.
With the threat of the current wildfire near Estes, Stewart advises that people need to gather their things and take care of their animals in the event an evacuation advisory or order is issue.
Stewart said Estes Park Police are working closely with their public safety partners in Larimer and Boulder Counties. He also advised that people follow nocoalert.org and for the latest information. Individuals can also text LCEVAC to 888777 or for notices on their phones.
As of 1:30 p.m., a mandatory evacuation order was issued for the area of Dunraven Glade, along CR42, including Streamside Drive and Dunraven Glade Road. The evacuation area extends north past Miller Fork Road and Dunraven Trailhead. Residents in this area were previously under voluntary evacuation but the status was upgraded to the mandatory evacuation level.
At 2:42 p.m. the Alexander Fire was estimated to be 6,840 acres with zero containment. There are 270 personnel working on the fire and additional hotshot crews and other resources are being brought in to support firefighting efforts.