It’s Friday, June 9, 2023.
Hello, Boulder. I hope you’re well. It’s Friday, so you’ve got that going for you.
Today, I bring you the origin of the Marshall Fire. It’s a long-awaited revelation, one many of us thought would never come. Yet theories that populated social media and local conversation came close to discovering the cause on their own.
The Marshall Fire started as two separate blazes that joined forces to consume and demolish. After an investigation that Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said “left no stone unturned,” the first fire is assumed to have started from the remnants of a slash pile burned six days earlier on the 5325 Eldorado Springs Drive property — inhabited by members of the Twelve Tribes community. The second fire was most likely started by a power line, owned and operated by Xcel Energy, that became untethered in the wind and contacted other lines to rain sparks down on dry grass waiting below.
In these investigations, the district attorney is involved to determine whether the evidence warrants criminal charges be brought against those responsible. Dougherty said neither fire showed enough evidence for criminal proceedings. Civil court, however, has different requirements.
The main takeaway I’ve had from my reporting on the Marshall Fire — this origin reveal included — is while we should do everything we can to prevent fires from starting near town, they’re sometimes going to start nonetheless. What we have more control over is how prepared our towns are to combat these fires as climate change increases risks — like hardening our homes. That’s perhaps where we can have the most impact at averting future catastrophe.
Have a great weekend.
— Tim, reporter
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Featured stories
Humans started the devastating Marshall Fire, 18-month investigation concludes. Drought, high heat and winds fueled its spread.
A slash fire by residents not properly extinguished and a disconnected Xcel power line flapping in the wind sparked the most devastating wildfire in Colorado’s history. Dried-out vegetation – a common feature in Boulder County as climate change intensifies – fueled the fire. Continue reading…
Wildfire smoke can harm human health, even when the fire is hundreds of miles away. A toxicologist explains why.
The specific health effects aren’t yet clear, but there’s indication that more exposure to wildfire smoke leads to greater damage. Continue reading…
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In other news
Warm and sunny, with a side of thunderstorms
At this point I’d prefer meatballs. The only variation in the coming forecast is the timing of thunderstorms. The next couple days will be warm with afternoon thunderstorms. The days after will be warm with “scattered” thunderstorms. Either way, the sky is going to continue rumbling like a stomach in need of a snack. Somebody make it some popcorn already.
Spruce Pool opening for the first time since 2020
Spruce Pool is set to reopen on Monday, June 19, marking its first opening since 2020. The pool will be available throughout the summer for both lap and leisure swimming, Monday through Friday, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Spruce was closed due to citywide staffing shortages during the Covid pandemic. Because it serves fewer people than other pools, like Scott Carpenter, and has fewer amenities, it was one of the first to be closed, and remain closed.
Tubing closure in effect for North and Saint Vrain Creeks
The North and Saint Vrain Creeks and River are closed to tubing and single chamber flotation devices until further notice. Rising water levels, caused by above-median snowpack and rainfall, led to the closure. Kayaks and white-water canoes are exempt, but caution and safety gear are advised. Violators will face a $100 fine, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said.
Sunday’s Pride March and Festival: ‘This Pride feels different’
As a reminder, Out Boulder County is hosting Boulder County Pride this month. There are three community festivals (Boulder, Longmont, and Lafayette) and two visibility marches (Boulder and Longmont) There are also a series of events planned throughout the month. Full calendar is here. Boulder’s festival and march are this Sunday.
With more than 600 anti-LGBTQ pieces of legislation having been introduced nationwide and a surge in hateful political rhetoric, the LGBTQ+ community is facing increased challenges, Out Boulder County, said this week. “This Pride feels different,” Mardi Moore, executive director of Out Boulder County, said in a news release. “We are fielding calls everyday from people who are trying to move to Colorado because of discrimination in their home states. Efforts to attack our community were defeated here in Colorado, but we are one bad election from things getting bad here too.”
Ironman this Saturday
Ironman, a 70-mile triathlon that will qualify a group of winners for the World Championship event in Finland, is happening this Saturday. Crowds will amass at the Boulder Reservoir, where the race starts and finishes, to watch athletes wiggle out of their wetsuits and strap into their bike shoes before launching into the final half marathon. As always, the race means road closures. View the map of the course here.
The bike course will be active from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will use the following roads: CO 119/Diagonal Highway, N. 63rd St., Monarch Rd., Jay Rd., US 36/N. Foothills Hwy, St. Vrain Rd., and N. 75th St./N. 73rd St., and 71st St. More detailed info on the closures is here.
Boulder City Council moves on Boulder Junction Phase 2
Boulder City Council on Thursday directed city staff to push forward with the second phase for the neighborhood development project near 30th Street, known as the Transit Village Area Plan. Council agreed to prioritize land-use changes for the second phase (called Boulder Junction Phase 2) that will allow for mixed-use, transit-oriented residential development — in other words, a mix of attached homes, offices, retail, services, light industrial and more. Under the city’s modeling, this option could result in 1,100-1,300 new residential units and about the same amount of new jobs. Getting the project off the ground was a city council priority for 2022-23.
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ICYMI
Boulder’s stormwater infrastructure faces test as wet spring continues and flood projects in ongoing limbo. Another flood might come before mitigation is in place to avert the worst repercussions.
Bob Yates announces run for Boulder mayor, vowing to ‘take the community to a new place.’ This November, Boulder voters will directly elect the city’s mayor for the first time by ranked-choice voting. Councilmember Yates sees the position of mayor as an opportunity for ‘visionary’ leadership.
Boulder County cities and towns pursue solutions to future Colorado River shortages, on their own. Boulder, Louisville and Longmont have senior rights to local creeks, making them less reliant on the diminishing Colorado River. Others aren’t as lucky. An ‘every city for itself’ approach still prevails.
City of Boulder disputes ‘key factual allegations’ made in camping ban case. Attorneys for the City of Boulder are asking a Boulder County District Court judge to deny a request by civil rights lawyers to issue a partial judgment in their camping ban lawsuit, claiming key facts are disputed.
City of Boulder starts talks with neighbors over proposed homeless services center location. The drop-in day center seeks to fill a gap in homelessness services. City officials reviewed more than a dozen locations before selecting Folsom Street as the preferred location for the site.
