Update: Fires have CU campuses in Colorado Springs, Boulder on watch
Among the Colorado wildfires that have the attention of the nation, two are making their impact known to the University of Colorado communities in Colorado Springs and Boulder.
Officials at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs are monitoring the Waldo Canyon Fire, where President Obama is scheduled to visit on Friday, while University of Colorado Boulder officials are monitoring the Flagstaff Fire.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the fires did not pose immediate threats to the campuses, but leaders at the university are partnering with emergency responders to determine if or when evacuations or closures might be necessary.
UCCS was open for classes and business today, and provided this update:
We will continue to support our students, faculty and staff, and our Colorado Springs home community, throughout the duration of this disaster.
For information about the fire, please contact 719-955-0742
Students who need assistance, or have questions, please contact 719-255-3582, 719-255-3608, or 719-255-3470
This information and previous statements are available at www.uccs.edu/~waldocanyonfire
UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak updated the campus community with an email as well.
"During this disaster, UCCS has worked in supporting students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members," she wrote. "So far, the campus has placed more than 300 evacuees in university housing and will continue to accept those who are evacuated for as long as there is space available. These spaces are made available at no charge for up to three days. The campus is also hosting local and national media covering the Waldo Canyon fire tragedy."
At CU-Boulder, students, faculty and staff received the following communication Tuesday from Lacey Croco, director of the Emergency Management Division:
The University of Colorado Boulder is monitoring a developing wildfire burning to the southwest of the city. City and County authorities are updating information on the wildfire at http://boulderoem.com/emergency-status
The Boulder Emergency Operations Center has activated a call center for residents and others impacted by the fire to obtain information. The phone number is 303-413-7730. People seeking fire and evacuation information are encouraged to call this number.
Faculty, staff and students living in the areas identified by the city are urged to pay attention to advisories concerning the changing conditions and possible evacuations and to follow instructions from city and law enforcement officials.
CU officials are taking the situation seriously and monitoring it closely with city and county officials. However, the fire does not represent a threat to the campus and the campus is not in the area covered by the city's advisory.
Classes and campus events are not canceled.
Smoke from the fire is affecting many communities in our area and the Boulder County Public Health has issued a health advisory. You are urged to exercise appropriate caution to preserve your health as high levels of particulates in our air. Learn more at http://www.bouldercounty.org/env/air/pages/wildfire.aspx
The university will update campus-specific information as needed on the CU-Boulder home page at http://www.colorado.edu and the Emergency Information Line at 303-492-4636. CU faculty, staff and students should also monitor their campus e-mail and cell phones for possible emergency alerts, texts and updates.
The city of Boulder is posting information at http://www.bouldercolorado.gov
If you have not done so already, sign up for the campus alert system at http://www.colorado.edu/alerts and if you live off-campus in the city or county of Boulder you can sign up for alerts at http://www.boco911alert.com
The state of Colorado’s Division of Emergency Management has established a website providing information on how to help communities most affected by the fires. The Help Colorado Now page, http://www.helpcoloradonow.org/, provides contact information for the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and other agencies distributing aid.