The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
New evacuation plan in order
By Kendra Walker
Members of the Crested Butte Fire Protection District (CBFPD) and the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) discussed wildfire preparedness disaster response with the Mt. Crested Butte town council during their June 7 meeting. As previously covered by the Crested Butte News, the fire professionals shared how they are working to spread messaging that educates the community on what is necessary for wildland management.
GMUG Gunnison Ranger District fire management officer Pat Medina updated the council on the county’s current fire conditions. “We continue with yet another year in drought. We are now into our fire season so we’re going to expect to see that uptick in fire danger. We do have a dispatch system where we’ve already brought in people who can offer up additional resources,” he said. “Each jurisdiction has their own decision making, so we try to work together to be as comprehensive as possible.”
Medina noted the Gunnison Basin sees two peaks in fire season, late June into July prior to the monsoons, and then in late fall during hunting season depending on previous moisture.
CBFPD chief Rob Weisbaum noted how the district heavily relies on mutual aid partners and holds weekly meetings to determine what resources are available.
“The resources are limited throughout this entire region,” said Weisbaum. “We recognize there are threats out here. We are doing everything we can as a department to respond in a timely and efficient manner.” The fire department has five full-time members and a staff of roughly 65 part-time and volunteer members. “When an event happens, we can guarantee five, but that’s it. We heavily rely on you all to understand what the incident command is so that we’re all speaking the same lingo and language.”
He continued, “We need to educate people on what is the appropriate method to be safe, how to find exit points and evacuation routes. A lot of this requires individual responsibility and we try to prepare you how to do it if a major event happens.”
“As a town you’re responsible for your evacuation plan,” said fire marshal Ric Ems. “I encourage you as a town to have your own evacuation plan. We can help facilitate that.”
“So do we have one?” councilmember Janet Farmer asked the council and town staff.
“Drive south,” said mayor Nicholas Kempin.
“We’re using the county’s plan,” said town manager Greg Sund.
Ems noted that the district is willing to provide input and assistance as the town puts together its plan, but that it’s ultimately up to the town to develop its evacuation plan. “There are templates that can be adapted to your individual needs,” he said.
The council agreed it would be imperative to develop a specific plan for Mt. Crested Butte and plans to discuss the town’s evacuation plan at an upcoming work session or meeting.
