Black Forest Fire affecting Westside in different ways

       The Black Forest Fire, reported June 11 and still uncontained at press time, was having some impacts on the Westside this week.
  • The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) asked fire evacuees to check the shelter at 610 Abbot Lane for missing pets. “Several stray dogs picked up by HSPPR Animal Law Enforcement officers in the area of the fire are being cared for at HSPPR,” a press release states.
           HSPPR is also sheltering more than 100 pets displaced by the fire, including dogs, cats, chickens and snakes, at Abbot Lane as well as Palmer Ridge High School in Monument.
           For more information, call 473-1741 or e-mail customerservice@hsppr.org.
  • Because of smoke in the air, El Paso County Public Health is advising people, especially young children, those who exercise outdoors, those involved in vigorous outdoor work and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma) to reduce or limit strenuous outdoor physical activity.
           Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consult their medical provider.
  • Stronger fire restrictions have been put in effect by Colorado Springs and El Paso County. These include a ban on the sale or use of fireworks (already disallowed in the city). Open fires are not allowed in the city and only permitted in the county “within permanently constructed fire grates in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds,” a county press release states.
           “Lack of precipitation and continued high temperatures have left the City of Colorado Springs with extreme wildland fire danger,” a city press release states. “Dry conditions and above normal temperatures have resulted in low fuel moistures. Trees and brush are at critically low levels which make them vulnerable to ignition.
           “In addition to critically low fuel moistures, aerial and ground resources around the state are committed to fighting fires.”
  • A Disaster Assistance Center has opened in the El Paso County Citizens Service Center at 1675 Garden of the Gods Road. According to a
           press release, the center “will bring together representatives of major insurance companies, County Public Health, healthcare providers, the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, utilities providers, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs Office of Emergency Management, grief counselors and local non- profits offering services to residents impacted by the Black Forest Fire.”
  • A scheduled concert June 12 by the Thin Air Jazz in Bear Creek Regional Park was cancelled because of the fire, according to County Parks.

    Westside Pioneer/press releases