Elbert County OEM

Red Flag Warning for Portions of Elbert County ◆ WHEN: Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. ◆ WHAT TO EXPECT: Strong winds, with gusts up to 40 mph possible

Elevated-to-Critical Fire Weather Conditions Strong winds across the eastern plains are expected the week - Thursday and Saturday - creating the potential for multiple days of elevated to critical fire weather conditions in Elbert County. Fires can start easily and spread extremely fast. • No outdoor burning • Avoid activities that create sparks • Secure chains, trailers, equipment • Park vehicles away from tall grass If you see smoke or fire, call 911 immediately. Know when to go! Sign Up for Elbert County Alert: elbertcountyalert.com

Thank you, First Responders! On behalf of Elbert County, we extend our sincere appreciation to all the agencies and personnel who assisted with the recent Simla-area fire. In the days leading up to the incident, emergency managers and fire personnel across the region were actively coordinating due to the forecasted extreme fire weather. That proactive statewide communication and preparedness resulted in a rapid, well-coordinated response from agencies throughout Colorado when the fire started. Because of that preparation and immediate mutual aid support: • The fire is now 100% contained despite near zero visibility for the responders and wind gusts of up to 70 mph during the incident • Aerial mapping estimates the total fire area at 5,599 acres • No homes were destroyed • No injuries were reported Crews remain on scene monitoring conditions and addressing hot spots to ensure continued safety. This incident and unified response is a strong example of how local, county, and state partners - working together before, during, and after an event - protects our community. Thank you to every responder, dispatcher, support staff member, agency and citizen that answered the call. We are grateful for your professionalism and commitment to Elbert County.

URGENT! Evacuations for the Simla area fire have been lifted. Residents may return home. We appreciate your cooperation. Extreme fire danger remains in effect — avoid burning and activities that could cause sparks. A red flag warning remains in effect.

UPDATE on County Road 169 Fire in Elbert Lincoln Counties Sharing on behalf of @ElbertCoPIO and @LincolnCountySO ALL MEDIA SHOULD REPORT TO THE LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF'S SUBSTATION IN LIMON ASAP FOR AN OFFICIAL UPDATE (130 C Avenue, Limon, CO) As of 1700, forward progress near Hwy 71 has been stopped, and crews are shifting to patrol and mop up. Crews will stay on scene through tonight. The County Road 169 Fire started around noon and is burning in short grass prairie and cultivated fields. A Fire Weather Watch, High Wind Warning, and Red Flag Warning were all in effect, with westerly gusts up to 55 mph and sustained winds up to 35mph. Minimum RH is down to 12%. Currently estimated at 5,000 - 10,000 acres (note: DFPC is unable to fly the Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) due to winds, so it is an estimate only, and acreage will likely change once we have more accurate mapping). Resources on scene: 15 engines 8 tenders 7 Chiefs/Overhead from mutual aid departments Resources ordered: 2 Strike Teams of Type 6 engines (typically 3-5 engines) 1 Strike Team of Type 3 engines All are enroute from Douglas County One home was in the initial Elbert County evacuation order when the fire started; unclear how many homes were in the Lincoln County evacuation area, but it is sparsely populated agricultural. Both the Elbert County and Lincoln County evacuations have been lifted. Photo from the Pano AI camera was from around 1pm; the second photo was taken around 2:30pm

Fire Weather Warning Tuesday Feb. 17 and Wednesday Feb. 18 High wind event expected Tuesday Feb. 17 through Wednesday Feb. 18, creating dangerous fire weather conditions across Elbert County. No outdoor burning, avoid activities that create sparks secure chains, trailers, equipment, and park vehicles away from tall grass. Call 911 immediately if you see smoke or fire. Know when to go! Sign Up for Elbert County Alert: elbertcounty-co.gov/653/Elbert-Cou…

Winter Weather Safety Alert Snow accumulation and strong winds will impact Elbert County beginning Thursday, January 8 and continue into Friday morning, January 9. Expect icy roads, blowing snow, and rapidly falling temperatures leading to reduced visibility, as well as slick and icy road conditions for the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes. Be Prepared: • Allow extra travel time or delay travel if possible • Slow down and increase following distance • Watch for icy spots on bridges and shaded roads Elbert County OEM is monitoring conditions and will provide updates if needed. Stay weather-aware and travel safely.

Introducing the new logo for the Elbert County Office of Emergency Management. This reflects our ongoing work to build a stronger, more connected OEM for our community. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X to stay informed about events, alerts, and updates.

Fire Weather Warning | High Wind & Fire Danger Wed., Dec. 17 - 19 A high wind event is expected Wednesday, Dec. 17 - 19, creating dangerous fire weather conditions across Elbert County. What to Expect: Sustained winds 25-35 mph Wind gusts up to 60 mph, strongest late morning through afternoon Very dry air with low humidity Fire Safety: Red Flag Warnings are in effect due to strong winds and very low humidity. Fires can start easily and spread rapidly. No outdoor burning Avoid activities that create sparks Secure chains, trailers, equipment Park vehicles away from tall grass Stage II Burn Restrictions are currently in place These burn restrictions prohibit open fires, open burning, and the use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Elbert County. Power Safety Power Shutoff Concerns There are no PSPS planned for our county at this time, but conditions can change. Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are scheduled to occur in other parts of the state. If you see smoke or fire, call 911 immediately. Stay informed through official county updates and help keep our community safe.

UPDATE: The girls have been found safely.

Snow Could Impact Wednesday Commute A widespread storm will move across Colorado Tuesday night. While Front Range impacts Tuesday evening should be minimal, slick and icy roads are possible for the Wednesday morning commute — especially where snow hides underlying ice. CDOT crews will be out statewide and Elbert County crews will be out locally, but drivers should plan ahead and allow extra travel time. What to Know: • Check COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app before driving • Expect slick conditions early Wednesday • Slow down, increase following distance, and never pass plows • Be aware of possible Traction/Chain Laws and safety closures Stay informed, drive carefully, and plan for winter conditions.

Winter Storm Incoming – Elbert County, Please Prepare! Snow is expected across the county beginning Tuesday around 9 PM, with 4–6 inches for most areas. Moderate to heavy snow is likely around sunrise Wednesday, continuing into the early afternoon (through ~3 PM). Due to warmer temperatures during the day Tuesday, a rapid cold front Tuesday evening may cause rapid freezing and icy roads underneath snowfall. Morning travel on Wednesday could be slow and slick. Please plan ahead. What You Can Do Now: Stock vehicles with winter essentials (blanket, scraper, flashlight, snacks, water) Prepare for possible delays or closures Make sure pets/livestock have shelter from wind & snow and food supplies. Check heating sources and have backup supplies ready Stay aware of updated forecasts & county alerts Elbert County OEM will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as needed. Stay safe, stay prepared, and please use caution during the morning commute on Wednesday!

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Nationwide CodeRED Outage & Data Breach Attention all registered for CodeRed Alerts CodeRED has officially confirmed the cyberattack that impacted its legacy system. As a result, some CodeRED user information was stolen and could potentially be leaked. If you were registered for CodeRED this may include your: • Name • Address • Email • Phone number • Passwords connected to CodeRED accounts If you use the same password for CodeRED and any other accounts, please change those passwords immediately. While at this time there is no evidence that the stolen data has been published, we recommend that those who have registered for CodeRED should stay alert by monitoring their accounts, credit, and personal information. The Elbert County Sheriff’s Office and Office of Emergency Management are in the process of transitioning our alerting platform away from CodeRED and redirecting to a new system which will provide a more secure and reliable platform for emergency notifications. As we work to establish an alternative solution for mass notification, please know we have multiple contingency plans in place to ensure we can reach you in the event of an emergency: • Social media notifications (follow Elbert County and the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office) • Door-to-door communication, if necessary • The ability to send IPAWS alerts through our partnerships with the Colorado Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency

If Fire Strikes: What to Do During & After If a fire does start, stay as safe as possible. And after the fire, act smart. During a fire: Get low and crawl under any smoke. Smoke and toxic gases rise first. Before opening any door, feel it: if it’s hot, don’t open it—use your second exit. If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll. Use cool water (3–5 min) and get help. After a fire: Wait until the fire department says it’s safe to enter. Document damage with photos, save receipts, and contact your insurance provider. Don’t try to reconnect utilities yourself—let professionals handle it. Stay safe, stay calm, and remember: being prepared is your best defense.