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January 1, 2022

Boulder County announces updated re-entry for evacuated residents


Boulder County, Colo. - Beginning on January 1, 2022 at 1300, all areas currently under pre-evacuation will be lifted. Some residents within the Marshall Fire area in City of Louisville will be allowed to return to their homes. There are no changes to evacuation status in the Town of Superior or unincorporated Boulder County.

  • If your home is in a hard closure area, you will not be allowed to return home at this time. Roads included in the hard closure are listed below.
  • If your home is within a soft closure area, in the City of Louisville, an ID will be required for re-entry. Roads included in the soft closure are listed below. Residents that can return should plan on accessing the area from the east. Please be patient as lines could be long at the checkpoints.

Officials continue to assess conditions in communities to allow re-entry of residents as soon as it is safe. It is important to remember that fire may have changed the environment around your home and community; please be cautious as you return to your home and neighborhood. Be prepared to see your community changed in ways that you do not expect and take time if you need it. Here are some things to consider when returning home:

  • When returning home or traveling through the area, residents are asked to slow their speeds and be alert to hazards such as weakened trees and structures.
  • Residents are asked to limit driving to daylight hours only, to go directly to their homes, and remain in and around their home.
  • Burned structures can have many hazards in and around them. Please be aware of ash pits, holes, sharp objects (such as exposed structural materials), as well as areas that are still burning or smoldering in the structure. Snow may be covering hazards, including areas that are still hot. Please be sure areas where you are stepping and reaching are safe to prevent injury.
  • Power may not be restored to some these areas, and gas will likely not be turned on by the time residents return home. For those with electricity but no gas heat, Xcel Energy is distributing space heaters at the YMCA Lafayette and YWCA Boulder.
  • There is no potable water in the affected area so residents should be prepared to bring bottled water with them for all water needs, including for pets. Never use water you think may be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or baby formula.
  • For residents without heat, please consider turning off the main water line and draining the house water lines to prevent a potential flood.
  • With the power outages, food in your refrigerator and freezer may be contaminated or spoiled. Dispose of any food that has been exposed to smoke, soot or heat or has thawed. Dumpsters will be placed in central locations for food disposal. Please do not use personal trash cans.
  • As residents return to the fire area, if there are signs that suspicious activity has occurred, please call the Tipline at 303-441-3674. If suspicious activity is occurring, please call 911 or the non-emergency line at 303-441-4444.


HARD AND SOFT CLOSURE DEFINITIONS

Hard Closure: Area where only authorized personnel and equipment can have access to:

  • Law enforcement personnel
  • Fire personnel
  • IMT personnel
  • Emergency Medical personnel
  • Authorized utilities (authorization per IMT); gas, electrical, water, ..
  • Building inspectors
  • Other recovery equipment and personnel (i.e. equipment to aid detectives at a location within the closure area, etc.)
  • No exceptions for law enforcement to escort individuals into closure area

Soft closure: Area where only specific residents or service providers are authorized:

  • A placard identification system or identification (ID) could be implemented
  • Residents who own a property in the closure area
  • Utilities: gas, electrical, water, etc.
  • Subcontractors called in by residents (who reside in the closure area) for assistance.

LIST OF CLOSURES

City of Louisville areas moving to a soft closure (residents only with an ID):

  • Spyglass Circle
  • Saint Andrews Lane north of West Dillon Road
  • Augusta Drive
  • Pinehurst Court
  • Club Circle and Place

City of Louisville areas still under a hard closure:

  • McCaslin Blvd from South Boulder Road to Cherrywood Lane
  • Via Appia at West Pine to McCaslin Blvd, no Northbound turns onto West
  • PineHillside Lane and Hillside Court
  • Fillmore Court
  • West Sandbar Circle
  • West Pinyon Way
  • West Hemlock Circle
  • Saint Andrews Lane south of West Dillon Road to South 88th Street
  • South 88th Street at West Dillon Road to Saint Andrews Lane
  • Troon Court
  • Muirfield Court and Circle
  • Turnberry Circle
  • West Alder Street
  • Kennedy Avenue at West Tamarisk Street South
  • Harper Lake Drive and Court
  • Washington Avenue from Grove Drive to McCaslin Boulevard
  • Willow Place
  • Honeysuckle Lane
  • Sunflower Street
  • Arapahoe Circle
  • Eldorado Lane
  • Larkspur Lane and Court
  • Arapahoe Court
  • Trail Ridge Drive
  • Estes Way
  • Harper Lake Drive
  • Grove Court
  • Meadow Court
  • Owl Drive at West Pine Street west to Polk Avenue

For the latest, up-to-date information on closures, ALWAYS check the Boulder County OEM Map.