Fire Recovery Resources

by | Jan 3, 2022 | Auto Insurance, Boat Insurance, Business Insurance, Home Insurance, In the Community, Personal Insurance, RV Insurance, Uncategorized | 1 comment

Disaster Recovery

fire resourcesBoulder County is transitioning our Marshall Fire response, resources, and staffing from immediate emergency assistance to longer-term recovery. All organizations that have been at the Disaster Assistance Center in Lafayette will continue to provide services at their traditional locations and online, and some are relocating their disaster assistance work to the Marshall Fire Donations and Resource Center at Flatirons Crossing Mall in Broomfield. Visit Disaster Assistance Center Resources for a full list of all organizations that have been at the Disaster Assistance Center.

Some federal and state operations, such as FEMA and the Small Business Administration, will remain onsite as a Disaster Recovery Center Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm. at 1755 S. Public Road in Lafayette. See the FEMA press release for details.

 

Recovery Navigators

The highly anticipated Recovery Navigator program starts on Monday July 25, 2022. Those impacted by the Marshall Fire are invited to begin meeting with Recovery Navigators starting Monday, July 25. This free service, offered through the Navigating Disaster for Boulder County program, will offer short-and long-term support, either in-person or virtual, to help residents navigate the recovery and rebuilding process.
Individuals and families will be assigned a navigator to work one-on-one with, providing a broad array of support, including:
  • Referrals to legal and insurance providers
  • Comprehensive recovery planning resources
  • Financial resources for rebuilding
  • Mental health services
Navigating Recovery
  • The Navigating Disaster for Boulder County program has launched a new website: bouldercountynavigatingdisaster.gov. This page provides information on utilizing a Recovery Navigator to guide you through the process of recovery.
    • The Marshall Fire Recovery Center will house the Recovery Navigators in a new space (357 McCaslin Blvd., Suite 115-B in Louisville) starting October 31.
  • Boulder County Offers $3500 Use Tax Rebate for Residents Rebuilding After Marshall and Cal-Wood Fires. More information about this program, including how to apply, will be available soon on the county’s Community Planning and Permitting Website.
  • DOLA Grants and loans are available to Colorado wildfire victims. For information on the Disaster Resilience Rebuilding Program, click here.
In addition, navigators will assist residents with applications for available rebuilding funds for fire-destroyed homes allocated by the state, federal and philanthropic sources. Please note that building permits must be in process with your jurisdiction before filling out the application.
To set up an appointment, call 303-446-7782 or email NavigatingDisasterBOCO@lfsrm.org, on or after July 25. Recovery navigators are located at 717 Main Street, Louisville. Walk-ins are not available at this time; you must have an appointment.

General information pertaining to the Marshall Fire

For information regarding Community meetings, Damage Assessment Map, Disability Resources, Donations, Financial Assistance, Housing, Insurance, Legal help, Mental & Emotional Help, Rebuilding, Replacing Lost documents/Property Tax, Returning Home, Scam/Fraud Resources, Transportation, Community Partners:  please visit boco.org/marshallfire

 

 Boulder County urges anyone who has been impacted by the Marshall Fire to continue to register their recovery needs by visiting www.boco.org/MarshallFire and filling out the online form at www.boco.org/MarshallFireAssistance. Financial help is available, as is assistance with debris removal and cleanup, rebuilding, and other services.   


Subscribe to Marshall Fire News:  Click Here

Boulder County Fire Page:  Click Here

Link to Marshall Fire Town Meetings:  Click Here

 

City & Town Recovery Info

Residents of impacted cities and towns can find additional information related to fire recovery and response efforts below:

Resources:

Excel Energy Rebates for Fire Victims:  Click Here

Energy Smart Guidance:  Click Here

FireWise Guidance:  Click Here

Natural Hazards Center:  Click Here

Colorado Green Building Guide:  Click Here

Common questions about air, water and soil quality, visit: boco.org/MarshallFireAirWater.

Contacts

Debris Hotline: 303-214-3203

Excel Energy Smart Advise:  303-544-1000 or email: info@EnergySmartYes.com. 

Public Health: Marshallfirehealthinfo@Bouldercounty.org 

Parks and Open Space: posinfo@bouldercounty.org

Financial Assistance:  HHSMarshallFire@bouldercounty.org

Rebuilding in unincorporated Boulder County:  MarshallRebuilding@bouldercounty.org

FEMA Assistance Click Here
or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

After The Disaster Guide Book: Click Here

 

Questions / nonemergency issues

Boulder County Call Center: 303-413-7730

Disability and Disaster Hotline: 800-626-4959 (call or text)

Guidelines for Safe Gardening in Areas Affected by Marshall Fire

Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) recommends residents whose properties have been affected by the Marshall fire take extra steps to stay healthy when gardening this spring and has created a flowchart to help assess potential risk.

Smoke, ash and soot from urban fires, like the Marshall fire, that burned structures, vehicles, everyday household products, plastic, rubber and automotive components can produce unhealthy particles and harmful contaminants, such as heavy metals, which can settle in soil and create unsafe conditions for gardens.

“The intense heat from urban fires reduces the number of micro-organisms in soil and negatively affects organic matter and nutrients. In addition, ash can make soils more alkaline over time,” said Joe Malinowski, Environmental Health Division Manager. “This damage causes temporary changes in your soil’s ability to flourish in your garden and to grow edible fruits and vegetables that are safe to eat. Getting your soil tested before gardening is the best way to determine its condition.”

If there is ash on your property as the result of a burning structure, or if you have a thick layer of ash because you were close to the fire, there may be hazardous chemicals that require special handling. In this circumstance, BCPH recommends working with an environmental restoration service to remediate the property safely. Removing a significant amount of soil may require water misting to suppress dust and contaminated soil must be disposed of at an approved site.

If you have soil or lawn clippings that may be contaminated with ash in your garden or lawn, BCPH recommends the following steps to mitigate any potential health hazards safely:

  • Wear an N95 mask and gloves when moving or disturbing soil that may contain ash or soot.
    • Anyone with respiratory illnesses is advised to talk with their health care provider about what they can do to stay safe and whether they should wear an N95 mask.
  • Use a shovel or hoe to scrape and collect surface soil.
  • Try to minimize the amount of soil and dirt that is dispersed in the air.
  • Dispose of soil and lawn clippings via your regular trash disposal.
  • Take off your shoes before going inside and immediately remove and wash clothes in a washing machine.
  • Wash your body thoroughly.

BCPH recommends that residents:

  • Do not use a leaf blower or fan to clean ash, grass clippings or soil.
  • Do not use a broom or sweep hard surfaces.
  • Do not wash potentially contaminated soils into a storm drain. Instead, direct any water to a grassy area.
  • Do not compost potentially contaminated soil and grass clippings.

Ways to stay safe when gardening in fire-affected areas:

  • Keep your soil covered with wood chips or other landscape mulch to reduce airborne dust.
  • Use drip irrigation to prevent splash on growing vegetables.
  • Promote good drainage to avoid water pooling and prevent the concentration of contaminants.

More information:

Donation Resources

Monetary donations can be made to help those impacted by the wildfires through the Boulder County Wildfire Fund, managed by Community Foundation Boulder County: https://www.commfound.org.

Donate Bulk Items

Boulder Fire & High Wind Disaster Relief Donation and Resource Center (Marshall Fire Donation and Resource Center) is only accepting bulk donations. Visit the State of Colorado’s website for the center’s latest updates. Please read the current needs list and list of unacceptable items.

Location: Flatirons Crossing Mall, former Nordstrom’s location between Macy’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods: 21 W Flatiron Crossing Drive, Broomfield, CO.

Center hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily

For donation drop-offs, please use center/north entrance. For bulk donations and bulk items arriving via truck, drop-offs must be scheduled in advance by calling 720-574-2300.

Donate Materials

An individual donations website has been created for the public to continue the generous outpouring of support for residents and businesses affected by the Marshall Fires and High Winds disaster. This portal is for members of the public offering donations of goods and services.

Register or list items for donation on the DART website at https://dart-co.communityos.org/. This platforms is meant to serve as a focal point for organizations and the public to connect effectively and directly to assist people who continue to be affected by displacement and damage from the fires. Once a donor registration is complete, the donor may input descriptions and quantities of individual donations. These will be seen and ‘claimed’ by vetted organizations who are given access through the newly-created Marshall Fires Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) and collaborating partners.

Volunteer

To volunteer to support recovery efforts, please register at: https://coloradoresponds.communityos.org/.

 

Mental Health Resources

One of the key lessons learned from previous wildfire and flood disasters is that these events can have a significant impact on an individual’s well-being. And it impacts everyone differently and at different times, sometimes right away and sometimes months later. Adults and children across the community who were impacted by the fires may experience normal stress response symptoms like mood swings, sleep disruption, and other stress reactions.

View more information on mental health after a wildfire.

Mental Health Partners (24/7)

1-844-493-TALK (8255)

Jewish Family Services

Jewish Family Service and Community Foundation Boulder County have partnered to offer counseling services to Boulder County residents in response to the wildfires and the pandemic.

Jewish Family Services is also offering group sessions to reduce traumatic stress for those impacted by the Marshall Fire for adults and teens. Group sessions are both virtual and in-person for anyone impacted by the Marshall Fire, including those with damaged and destroyed homes, and those in close proximity to damaged areas.

Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746

Colorado Crisis Services (24/7)

1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255

National Sexual Assault Hotline

1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Rise Against Suicide

720-212-7527 (M-F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Free mental health therapy for young people 0-19

Other Services

10 Free Counseling Sessions

JFS is making it easy to get help with 10 free counseling sessions. More than 200 licensed, private practice therapists to choose from. JFS funds counseling sessions so you and your family can get the support you need. Visit jewishfamilyservice.org/bccc to find out more.

Free Online and In-person Group Sessions

JFS is offering free 90-min Wildfire Disaster Group EMDR Sessions online and in-person at the Louisville Recreation & Senior Center.
This group is designed to help increase your sense of balance, calm and ability to manage disturbing thoughts, feelings, and memories. You will be asked to draw and/or write phrases while practicing bi-lateral tapping techniques to support your nervous system to process your experiences. Visit jewishfamilyservice.org/groups for a schedule of upcoming sessions and more details.These programs are a partnership between JFS and the Community Foundation of Boulder County; funded by their Boulder County Wildfire Relief Fund.

Sister Carmen Community Center: If you have needs related to the fire, please call 303-665-4342 between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., or stop by 655 Aspen Ridge Drive, Lafayette, 80026.

The American Red Cross has several resources related to emergency preparedness and fire recovery.

Colorado Wildfire Resource Guide

Boulder Small Business Development Center is a countywide nonprofit that helps impacted small businesses navigate resources available, including funding through the SBA, State of CO, Boulder County, the cities and private sources — both grants and loans. SBDC assists businesses with confidential business consulting at no cost. Email admin@bouldersbdc.com or call 303-442-1475.

Domestic Violence Shelters

Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence in Boulder has a shelter and conducts outreach for survivors of domestic violence. Reach them at 303-444-2424.

Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley in Longmont has a shelter and conducts outreach for survivors of domestic violence. Reach them at 303-772-4422.

1 Comment

  1. Bonnie Friesth Parker
    Bonnie Friesth Parker on January 4, 2022 at 9:28 am

    Good job! Info, especially in these situations, is power.

    Reply

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