Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical & Historical Society

Sand Gulch Fire Update 05/01/11

Wildland Fire Update - May 01, 2011

From the Front Range Interagency Fire Management Center in Cañon City…

The Sand Gulch Fire on the San Isabel National Forest experienced significantly decreased activity yesterday. This morning there was 1 to 3 inches of snow on the fire.

The fire was detected on 4/26/2011 and is located approximately 5 miles southwest of Wetmore, in Custer County.  This morning, the fire is 550 acres in size and is considered 20% contained.

The Type 3 management team remains in place. There are approximately 100 firefighters working the fire.

Today, the fire is will see minimal activity due to the snow cover. Fire crews will remain in the fire area and take actions as necessary.

A Fire Information Briefing will be conducted at the Wetmore Community Center tonight at 5:00 pm. Fire Information Officers and San Carlos District Ranger, Paul Crespin will be attending
.
An Update will be sent out as significant new information becomes available.

Gregg Goodland - Fire Prevention Technician
San Isabel National Forest - San Carlos Ranger District
3028 E. Main St. Canon City, CO 81212
Office: 719-269-8543  Fax: 719-269-8596
Mobile: 719-429-5497
Follow us: twitter.com/PSICC_NF

Sand Gulch Fire Update 04/30/11

Meeting at Wetmore Community Center 5:00 pm, 04/30/11

Fire is officially 20% contained and has burned approx 560 acres.

Greenwood evacuees will be able to return home at 8:00 pm tonight.

6-8" of snow are expected tonight with another 2-4" tomorrow.

Three stages of fire fighting:

-Containment-they are working on it

-Control-making sure it does not breach fire lines

-Out-ultimate goal, no sparks, smoldering, flare-ups

Community Meeting to be held Sunday, May 1 5:00 pm at the Wetmore Community Center

Paul Crespin-San Carlos District Ranger will be there to address community concerns.

  

One of the 2 type 1 helicoptors that flew throughout the day dumping water on hot spots

 

Wildland Fire Season -Sand Gulch Fire Update

The Wetmore Volunteer Fire Department has been busy the last few weeks training and preparing fire trucks and other equipment for a predicted busy fire season.  Thursday, April 28, Gregg Goodland and other Forest Service officials, met with volunteers to discuss fire policies on Forest Service property.  As it happens, the lighting-caused Sand Gulch fire was and still is burning in the San Isabel Forest, approx 5 miles SW of Wetmore.  Forest Service officials have been monitoring it for the last few days. 

Here is the most recent update received by Gregg Goodland:

Wildland Fire Update - April 29, 2011 10:00

From the Front Range Interagency Fire Management Center in Cañon City…

The Sand Gulch Fire on the San Isabel National Forest experienced increased activity yesterday resulting in a small smoke column that was seen from Wetmore, Florence and Pueblo.

The fire was detected on 4/26/2011 and is located approximately 5 miles southwest of Wetmore, in Custer County.  This morning, the fire is approximately 20 acres in size.  

This fire was lightning caused, and is being managed to achieve multiple objectives while providing for public and firefighter safety.  This management strategy allows fire to play its natural role in the ecosystem and reduce fuel buildup. Firefighters are taking perimeter control actions on the south and east flanks of the fire.

There are approximately 50 firefighters working the fire.

Today, the fire is likely to see increased activity due to forecasted low relative humidity and higher winds. Snow is forecasted over the fire area on Saturday.

As the fire activity increases, more information will be available through Public Information Officers who will provide specific contact phone numbers. An Update will be sent out as significant new information becomes available.

Gregg Goodland-Fire Prevention Technician

San Isabel National Forest-San Carlos Ranger District

3028 E Main St., Canon City, CO 81212

Office 719-269-8543 Fax 719-269-8596 mobile 719-429-5497

Election of Officers-Ballot deadline is July 1

Election of Officers will be held and the results will be given at the July 9, 2011 meeting.  A nominating committee has been formed.  Ballots will be mailed out by June 4 and need to be returned by July 1.  Current dues must be paid in order to run for office and to vote.

Offices to be filled this year are President, Vice President and Treasurer.  We strongly encourage you to run for any one of these three positions.  The Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical and Historical Society needs you!

 

Western Fremont Historical Society Breakfast Fundraiser

WESTERN FREMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Breakfast Fundraiser

Help us raise money for restoration of the little church in Old Howard**

Saturday, April 9^th

8 am till 11 am

Biscuits and gravy

Ham

Eggs

Coffee and tea

Orange drink

Howard Hall in Howard, Colorado

(West side of Howard, turn north on Co. Rd. 4 and follow the signs)

Adults—$8.00

Kids 6 to 10 – $4.00

Children under 6 – FREE

For additional information, call Rita Aten 719-942-3665.

**The first church in Western Fremont County.  The Free Methodist Church was pastered by Thomas Vipond and many other itinerant preachers down through the decades.  It is now a museum/gathering place owned by the Western Fremont Historical Society. 
To reach this jewel, you will drive to Howard, Colorado along Highway 50 and turn on County Road 4, North, winding to the left as you cross the Railroad tracks.

 museumfriends.info

fremonthistoricalsociety.com

Wetmore Community Library Fundraiser 2011

Sunday, April 3, 2011 11:00 am-2:00 pm

at the Community Center

Please join us for Sunday brunch

We need your help to continue growing and to provide services to the community for 2011

Menu

Italian Spaghetti

Fresh Garden Salad

Hot Garlic Bread

Coffee, Tea, Lemonade

Homemade Cake with Ice Cream

Cost per meal on a donation basis

Take out available 784-6669

What does our community library have to offer?

A friendly, helpful staff of volunteers to assist with fiction and non-fiction books, books for children and young adults, DVD's, videos, audio books, some large print books, public use computers with internet access, wireless internet, photo copy and fax services, color and black/white printers, available subscriptions for the Pueblo Chieftain, new books monthly, family summer programs, AND a community reading room including a puzzle and board game area, small meeting space, pre-school play area.  Your community library is totally funded by donations only and grants when available.

Bottom-Up Economic Development Plan Initiative Regional Meeting

From Robin Young-Custer County Extension Agent

Governor Hickenlooper launches Colorado’s Bottom-Up Economic Development Plan Initiative Regional meeting on March 22^nd, 2011 from 4-6pm at the Steam Plant in Salida.  The Rotary Club has graciously offered their vehicles to take people over to Salida.  I believe there is room for 12.  This would be a first come, first serve basis, so if you are interested in getting a ride, we will meet at Over the Brim at 2:20pm to leave for Salida.  This would be a good opportunity to carpool with others too.   If you are planning on going, Please RSVP to Dick Albair at [email protected] or 303-892-3859 by March 21st, 2011.

Click here to view the results of the SCEDD Comprehensive Econ.Dev. Strategy.  If you would like further information, please contact Robin Young or Dick Albair.

Robin Young

CSU Extension Custer County Director

(719) 783-2514 Office

(719) 783-0908 Fax

205 South 6th Street

P.O. Box 360

Westcliffe, Co.  81252

[email protected]

Town Hall Meeting Hosted by the Southern Colorado Economic Development District

Southern Colorado Economic Development District is hosting a series of town hall meetings across southern Colorado. The Custer County meeting will be held Wednesday, March 9th from 6:00 to 8:00p.m. in the community room at Cliff Lanes.

The town hall discussions and planning sessions are part of the preparation of the ‘Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy’. We will provide an overview of Custer County’s economy, discuss the challenges and opportunities and identify projects to promote economic growth and diversification. Attendees will be provided a keypad polling device so that we may obtain maximum feedback from the citizens of your county.

We have had excellent feedback from attendees in other counties. The polling devices encourage people to voice an opinion when they may otherwise prefer not to make a public statement. We will also provide forms to identify projects that may be submitted after the meeting.

The State Regional meeting will be in Salida on March 22nd at the Steamplant from 4pm-6pm. This is Governor Hickenlooper's Bottom up Economic Development Plan. We would like to see as many of you as we can there too.


For further information on the meeting, please contact the CSU Extension Office at 783-2514 or visit www.scedd.com for more information on the March 9th meeting and

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/OEDIT/OEDIT/1251588165225 for more info on the March 22nd meeting.

Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation-Community Spirit Campaign

On Thursday, January 27th, Jeannie Culpin, Peggy Martin, Margaret Storm, and Kathy West traveled to Westcliffe to represent the Wetmore-Hardscrabble Genealogical & Historical Society at the annual Community Spirit Campaign of the Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation.  The Foundation supports non-profit groups working in the fields of education, public health and safety, recreation, historical preservation, youth and senior services, the arts, animal welfare, the natural environment and other services that improve the quality of life for residents and visitors in Custer County and the Wet Mountain Valley.

  

The Spirit Campaign assists non-profit organizations; the Foundation and other donors average a 40% match of contributions from the public to assist more than 50 non-profits in Custer County.  Since 1999, the Foundation has provided more than $1 million. 

  

Jim Little, Wet Mountain Tribune editor, was the MC for the meeting and is the President of the organization.  Approximately 75 people were in attendance to receive their checks for the organizations they represented.  WHG&HS salutes Jim, the other officers, and the Foundation for their enormous contribution and support of Custer County.

  

Kathy West, Treasurer of WHG&HS, accepted the contribution for our organization.  The Wetmore Volunteer Fire Department, represented by Bill Donley, and the Wetmore Community Library, represented by Nan Davenport, were also in attendance and received funds for their entities.

 

Side note:  on the trip up to the valley, the quartet was fortunate to see about 14 big horn sheep; on the return trip, they saw deer, antelope, and elk.  Guess the bear were still hibernating.  They also had lunch at "Karen's" prior to the meeting and stopped at the Bakery for bread before returning to Wetmore.  A good trip in bright sunshine and beautiful Colorado blue skies.

Reported by Margaret Storm

2011 Membership Dues

Dear Members,

Just a reminder to let you know that it is time to pay your 2011 dues if you have not already done so. 

 Dues remain the same:  Family    $15.00

                                        Single    $10.00

 

You may send your check to WHG&HS, c/o

Kathy West, P.O. Box 211, Wetmore, CO 81253.

Or click here to be taken to a PayPal link

 

Our next meeting is planned for Saturday, March 12, 2011 10:00 AM

Thanks.

Jeannie Culpin