June 19, 2012 - Fire underneath rocket slide at Scott Carpenter Park causes damage early this morning

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Contacts:   Kim Kobel, Boulder Police and Fire, 303-441-3370

Jennifer Bray, Parks and Recreation, 303-441-4160

www.bouldercolorado.gov

Fire underneath rocket slide at Scott Carpenter Park causes damage early this morning

Boulder Police and Fire Dispatch received a call at 2:53 a.m. today reporting a fire underneath the rocket play structure at Scott Carpenter Park.  Boulder firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire using handheld extinguishers. Boulder police officers searched the park for suspects but were unable to locate anyone.

There is no damage to the overall structure of the rocket, a popular play feature of the park, but there is damage to the paint and material underneath the rocket.  The first level of the rocket is closed until repairs can be made, however, children may still access the higher levels of the rocket.  The repairs will be made tomorrow, June 20, so the area will be fully reopened on Thursday, June 21.

Police have no suspect information at this time, and ask that anyone with information about this crime to report it by calling the non-emergency Police and Fire information number, 303-441-3333.  Police and Fire officials also remind the public that anytime you see anything suspicious, please immediately call 911.

Because of the high fire danger, the Boulder Fire Department began conducting proactive “severity patrols” around the city, specifically targeting open space areas like Flagstaff, Lee Hill, Sunshine Canyon and Chautauqua Park. During the week (Monday through Friday), a 3-person wild land crew patrols from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., looking for any signs of fire or smoke in the area, and keeping an eye on the winds.  The crews use a special wild land fire engine that’s smaller than the city engines and which allows them to enter areas that would be too difficult for the larger trucks.

This proactive approach allows firefighters to be nearby if a call comes in, which gives them a chance to extinguish any fires before they grow or spread. This is the first time in 30 years that severity patrols have been implemented by the Boulder Fire Department.

“We’re experiencing some of the most extreme fire danger we’ve had in years,” says Boulder Fire Marshal Dave Lowrey. “Even a small fire, like the one started in Scott Carpenter Park, can become very dangerous very quickly. We have record low moisture levels right now. Combine plentiful dry fuels like grasses and trees with winds and burning embers, and a small fire can spread fast. In places where homes are nearby, embers can land on rooftops and cause structure fires.”

“Open burning and recreational fires are illegal at all times in the city of Boulder, and currently there is a City Manager’s Rule in place banning fire and smoking on all Open Space & Mountain Parks properties. We need people to cooperate with these restrictions, which were put into place because the fire danger is so extreme this year. We want to keep people safe, and we need everyone’s help to do that,” says Lowrey.

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Last Updated on Friday, 13 July 2012 07:07