Panelists Answer Wildfire Questions on KGNU

BMFPD’s Mike Palamara, Wildland Division Chief, recently participated in an expert panel discussion about wildfire risk and preparedness in Boulder County that aired on local radio station KGNU. He and panelists Kerry Webster, Wildland Fire Senior Program Manager for the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks, and Michael “Smitty” Smith, Wildland Fire Operations Specialist with Boulder Fire Rescue Station 8, answered listener’s questions about emergency alert systems, prescribed burns, wildfire preparedness, and more. Listen to the hourlong broadcast here.

Mike Palamara, Kerry Webster, and Michael “Smitty” Smith

Station 2 Wins Award for Top Innovative Project

Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District is pleased to announce that our new Station 2 took top honors at the 36th annual NAIOP awards, held in Denver on February 23, 2023. The station was named Innovative Project of the Year in the State of Colorado.

BMFPD Station 2 was one of three nominees for the top Innovative Development projects for 2022.

This award goes to show that as a community, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. Some of the criteria for being nominated included:

1. Effects on the community, such as having a community room for meetings

2. Community fund-raising drive and how much was raised

3. Continuance of operations during major incidents

4. Renewable energy components

5. Challenges and solutions to issues as they arose

The award will be placed at Station 2 and showcased for all to see.

Thank you to everyone who supported this project. We accepted this award on behalf of all of you. It’s quite an honor for a small fire department.

Pine Brook Hills Community Meeting about the Sanitas Fire

On January 5, we held a community meeting with Pine Brook Hills residents about the Sanitas fire. You can view a video recording of the meeting below. Here are some time stamps for key content:

• 4:00 Sanitas Fire Overview, including stories from four of our own firefighters about their experiences

• 19:00 Consequences to our firefighters and fire department

• 20:50 Fire timeline and highlights, including fire growth and footprint and the use of infrared drones

• 34:17 Evacuation deep dive, including how evacuation determinations are made, why evacuations are so important, and our district’s various evacuation zones

• 55:39 Evacuation FAQs and key takeaways

• 1:02 Communications with the community FAQs and key takeaways

• 1:07 Other questions from the community and open Q&A

Our New Station 2 Grand Opening Is November 5!

Join us Saturday, November 5, from 10:00 to noon, for a grand opening celebration!

Chief Benson and others will make brief remarks, which will be followed by tours of the station and refreshments. The station is located at 50 Overlook Lane, in the Boulder Heights neighborhood

We extend special thanks to everyone who has helped make the new station a reality, and look forward to seeing you on Saturday.

Boulder Mountain Fire’s New Station 2

Level 1 Fire Restrictions Rescinded

On August 16, 2022, the Boulder County Sheriff rescinded the Level 1 Fire Restrictions for unincorporated Boulder County, which had been in effect since mid-June. We’d like to remind residents that although the fire restrictions are not in effect, grasses can dry out quickly, increasing fire danger. Please always remain vigilant and avoid creating any sparks that could start a fire. Thank you!