All articles tagged with #boulder county
A grass fire between Broomfield, Lafayette, and Louisville in Boulder County is largely contained, with evacuation orders expected to be lifted soon; crews are still working on extinguishing remaining hotspots, and Highway 287 is set to reopen.
Xcel Energy may shut off power on December 17th at noon in several Colorado counties due to high winds and dry conditions to prevent wildfires, with updates available through local alerts and safety resources.
Xcel Energy's pre-planned power outage left over 55,000 customers without electricity in Boulder County, with inadequate notice to emergency response officials, causing significant impacts and hardships. The utility's decision to cut power ahead of high winds as a preventive measure, following the Marshall fire, has sparked criticism and legal action. Xcel Energy defended its handling of the shut-off, citing the need to mitigate wildfire risks, but faces calls for better communication and preparation for future outages.
Xcel Energy extended power outages through Monday for Boulder County customers due to high winds, with about 30,950 customers affected. Crews are working to restore power, but the timeline is uncertain. The outages were a precautionary measure to reduce wildfire risk. Other areas, such as Longmont and Louisville, also experienced outages, while some facilities like hospitals and research buildings were affected. The company is partnering with municipalities and emergency managers to prioritize public safety during such events.
Xcel Energy is considering cutting power to about 55,000 customers in Boulder, Gilpin, and Jefferson counties in Colorado due to extremely high winds and the resulting high fire danger. The outage is expected to start at 3 p.m. today and last until at least noon Sunday, with the company intending to contact affected customers directly. The decision is part of efforts to decrease the risk of wildfires, and other power companies in the area have also reported outages.
Officials in Boulder County, Colorado, have issued a warning about powdered forms of the deadly drug fentanyl circulating on the streets. Fentanyl is significantly more potent than heroin and morphine and is being laced into other narcotics. The county's Harm Reduction Program is reaching out to students and communities with known drug use to provide services, information, and support. The number of fentanyl-related deaths in Colorado has quadrupled since 2016, prompting efforts to raise awareness and offer resources for substance abuse prevention and recovery assistance.
Mosquitoes in Boulder County, Colorado, have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), according to officials from Boulder County Public Health. The wet weather followed by high temperatures has created an ideal breeding environment for mosquitoes. WNV can cause West Nile Fever in humans, with more serious cases leading to encephalitis, meningitis, and other severe symptoms. There is currently no known treatment, cure, or human vaccination for the virus. Boulder County Public Health advises using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours, and eliminating standing water to prevent WNV transmission.
Mosquitos in Boulder County, Colorado, have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), according to Boulder County Public Health (BCPH). While most infections are mild, serious cases can lead to inflammation of the brain, loss of vision, paralysis, coma, tremors, convulsions, and even death. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, body aches, and skin rashes. There is no cure or human vaccination for WNV, so BCPH is urging residents to protect themselves by using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours, and eliminating standing water.
The 2021 Marshall fire in Boulder County was caused by embers buried for six days on a residential property reigniting and sparks from an "unmoored" Xcel Energy power line. The district attorney's office found "insufficient or no evidence of a crime" and no reason to file charges against Xcel Energy. A group of more than 20 victims of the fire filed a new lawsuit against Xcel, alleging negligence in its operation of its power lines and equipment. The fire destroyed over 1,000 homes and businesses, causing an estimated $2 billion in losses, and resulted in two deaths.
Two people were killed in a hit-and-run crash in Boulder County, Colorado, after a possible road rage incident involving a dark red or maroon 2009 or newer Dodge Ram and a Chevrolet Camaro. The Dodge Ram collided with the Camaro, causing it to spin into oncoming traffic and be hit by a Toyota Tundra. The driver of the Dodge Ram fled the scene and is being sought by the Colorado State Patrol. Anyone with information is asked to contact CSP.