It’s Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Good morning, Boulder. I hope you and your loved ones are safe.
Today, we’ll continue our coverage of the Stone Canyon Fire, which burned more than 1,320 acres yesterday. Changing winds kept evacuation zones fluid, eventually spreading just north of the Town of Lyons as other fires in the state continue to blaze on. At least two structures have burned, though the full extent of the damage is unknown. We have a live blog that we are updating as information becomes available. Bookmark it, as well as the county’s public information map. Most importantly, if you’re not signed up for emergency updates, do the following:
• Sign up for Everbridge to receive evacuation alerts.
• Download the ReachWell app for countywide alerts. Sign up for the BOCOalert and BOCOinfo channels. ReachWell can translate messages into various languages.
• Text BOCOinfo to 888777 for regular updates from Boulder’s emergency services.
Meanwhile, fire-retardant slurry from fighting the Stone Canyon Fire entered Boulder Reservoir, prompting advisories and ongoing water quality testing by the city.
Separately, we’re covering “healing centers,” where people can legally consume psilocybin in a supervised setting. After voters decided to decriminalize psilocybin in 2022, such centers cannot be banned by cities like Boulder. However, Boulder can decide where these centers are allowed within the city. Officials are considering keeping them out of residential districts, as proposed in a memo by city staff to city council this week.
Be safe.
— Tim, reporter
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Featured stories
Live updates: Stone Canyon Fire near Lyons in Boulder County
A wildfire is burning in the Stone Canyon area near Lyons, prompting multiple evacuations, burning more than a thousand acres, destroying at least two structures and threatening many more. Continue reading…
Boulder officials propose banning psilocybin healing centers in residential areas, few other rules
In the coming months, the state will begin licensing centers where people can legally consume psychedelic mushrooms under supervision. Boulder cannot ban such centers, but it can limit when and where they operate. Continue reading…
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In other news
Almost 100 today, same thing tomorrow
Temps will edge toward the triple digits today and stay there through tomorrow, meaning critical fire conditions will continue. We already have several wildfires burning, and as the National Weather Service is warning, low humidity and breezes “could allow any fire start to spread rapidly.” Late-day showers and thunderstorms are expected from Friday into next week.
Firefighting slurry enters Boulder Reservoir
Yesterday, while responding to the Stone Canyon Fire, fire-retardant slurry was accidentally dropped into the St. Vrain Supply Canal, which flows into the Boulder Feeder Canal and then into Boulder Reservoir. As a result, slurry has entered the Boulder Reservoir, the city said.
Key points from the city:
- Drinking water: The reservoir is a backup water source in Boulder and is not currently being used.
- Health precautions: High concentrations of slurry may cause skin or eye irritation if people come into contact with the water.
- Wildlife impact: The slurry could affect aquatic life and wildlife.
- Recreation advisory: Fishing is discouraged, and dogs should be kept out of the water.
Staff will continue testing water quality, assess conditions and adjust recreation operations as needed, it said.
Alexander Mountain Fire spreads, another ignites
As the Stone Canyon Fire burned north of Lyons, the Alexander Mountain Fire, blazing west of Loveland, grew to about 5,100 acres by late last night.
Meanwhile, the Quarry Fire, first spotted last night in the Deer Creek Canyon Road area of Jefferson County, has grown to approximately 130 acres, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office this morning. Five subdivisions have been evacuated.
Simultaneous fires not only worsen air quality but also leave fewer resources to fight each. State resources play a pivotal role in fighting wildfires, and multiple fires stretch those resources thin.
Ride for Magnus on Aug. 11
On Aug. 11, cyclists will gather in Boulder for “The Ride for Magnus: Ride for Your Life,” honoring U.S. youth cycling star Magnus White, who was tragically killed by a driver last year. The event, organized by White’s parents through the The White Line Foundation, aims to advocate for better cycling laws and infrastructure. Participants will retrace Magnus’ route on Colorado Route 119 and hold a rally at the University of Colorado Boulder. The event will feature prominent leaders and advocates calling for safer roads. Sign up to ride here.
Townhome donated to City of Boulder
Boulder homeowner Jeni Bough donated her townhouse to the city’s Housing Legacy Program, which aims to ensure affordable housing for future generations. Concerned about rising housing costs, Bough’s donation supports the program’s goal of supporting economic diversity.
“I wish Boulder was more affordable and [donating my home to this program] is a way I feel like I can make an impact to help with that,” said Bough. “It’s important to me that people with a range of incomes can live in Boulder.”
This marks the fourth home in the program, which accepts property donations to provide homeownership opportunities for moderate- and middle-income families. For more information, visit the Boulder Housing Legacy Program website.
Fiber coming to Lafayette
Intrepid Fiber Networks will begin constructing an open-access fiber-to-the-premise network in Lafayette this week, offering residents next-generation internet speeds.
Construction will occur in various neighborhoods, with residents notified by lawn signs and door hangers. Crews will prioritize safety and minimize disruptions by using existing utility poles or underground conduits. Landscaping will be restored to its original or improved state, with instructions provided for nurturing new seed or sod.
In January, the City of Boulder issued a request for proposals from service providers interested in offering fiber-based broadband internet to residents and businesses, part of a yearslong process to get a high-speed internet network in Boulder.
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