Breckenridge firefighters quell Barton Road blaze

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

A piece of logging machinery caught fire near Breckenridge, but firefighters were able to extinguish the flames before they spread to nearby forest lands. Photo courtesy Red, White & Blue Fire District.

Logging equipment destroyed in fire

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Observant neighbors and a quick response by local firefighters Wednesday helped prevent a potential wildfire near Breckenridge.

According to the Red, White & Blue Fire District, firefighters were called to a possible wildland fire in the area just above Barton Road and Airport Road in Breckenridge.

When firefighters arrived on scene, they found a piece of heavy equipment used for logging fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters made a quick attack to knock down the fire preventing it from spreading into nearby trees.

A total of seven firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.

The cause of the fire was determined to be a mechanical failure in the engine compartment.  The machine was a total loss and valued at $150,000.

“The quick action of the community seeing smoke and calling 911 helped prevent this fire from spreading,” said deputy chief Jay Nelson. “Our firefighters were able to begin containing and extinguishing this fire before it could spread to the nearby trees and thick pine duff” he said.

Colorado just experienced its worst fire season ever, with deadly blazes along the Front Range destroying several hundred homes. Nationally, wildfires have burned across almost 9 million acres, the most since 2006.

 

Filed under: Breckenridge, Colorado, forest fires, forests, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Golden horseshoe trail and restoration planning starts

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Input wanted on overall plan for Summit County recreation area; Swan River restoration a big part of the effort

The Forest Service wants to add some new trails and decommission others in the popular Golden Horseshoe area near Breckenridge.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Forest Service is seeking public comment on an ambitious plan to remodel the Golden Horseshoe with sustainable trails and a particular focus on ecosystem restoration of the Swan River watershed, between Breckenridge and Frisco.

The environmental study now under way will evaluate and disclose potential effects  proposed reconstruction and designation of several trails, in addition to closure and rehabilitation of several roads in the area.

Generally, the projects consist of the following:

  • 3.7 miles of non-motorized trail construction
  • 5.0 miles of motorized trail construction
  • 5.1 miles of road decommissioning

Maps, documents and commenting information is online at this WRNF web page. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Dillon Ranger District, Environment, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, US Forest Service, White River National Forest | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Breckenridge Peak 6 expansion wins Forest Service OK, but community concerns, and some hard feelings, remain

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

45-day appeal period starts when the decision is formally published

Community interest led to a Forest Service-led site visit last summer, attended by dozens of Breckenridge residents and visitors.

By Bob Berwyn

* Background and stories detailing the four-year process at this Summit Voice page.

* More details on the decision here.

SUMMIT COUNTY — White River National Forest supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams said Tuesday his decision to approve a 550-acre expansion at Breckenridge Ski Resort is an appropriate balance between resource conservation and recreational use of the forest, but some critics of the expansion remain unconvinced.

Fitzwilliams acknowledged that the expansion will affect 81 acres of habitat for threatened lynx, but promised that the Forest Service will work with community partners to improve the overall conditions of surrounding forests, with an eye toward restoring important wildlife habitat.

“No question, there are impacts, and I think we’ve disclosed them in a fair and balanced manner … and through mitigation and design criteria, we can mitigate them to the point where they are acceptable,” Fitzwilliams said during a media conference call on the Peak 6 decision.

The expansion has been in the works since 2008, when a scoping open house in Breckenridge drew about 200 critical comments that questioned the basic rationale for the expansion and outlined concern about impacts to the environment and the local community, including parking, housing, childcare and overall resort growth. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, Breckenridge, Colorado, Dillon Ranger District, endangered species, Environment, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, US Forest Service, White River National Forest | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Breckenridge: Forest Service OKs Peak 6 expansion

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Pending appeals and lawsuits, resort could get two new lifts

A map for the proposed alternative from the USFS Record of Decision outlines the Peak 6 expansion.

By Bob Berwyn

*Read about continuing community concerns in this Summit Voice story.

SUMMIT COUNTY — Pending the outcome of potential appeals and lawsuits, Breckenridge Ski Area will be permitted to add about 550 acres of terrain on Peak 6, served by two new lifts.

White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams Tuesday announced his decision to approve the hotly contested expansion, saying it will help reduce congestion on the busy mountain. Forest Service documents on the expansion are online at the WRNF website. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Breckenridge: Local USA Pro Cycling Challenge organizers host community info meeting for this year’s race

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Forest Service details camping rules for Independence Pass spectators

The highest elevations of Independence Pass will be closed to camping, but the U.S. Forest Service will allow roadside camping in other areas along the road for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Olympics are winding down,but local sports enthusiasts are gearing up for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, which returns to Breckenridge for the second year with an Aug. 24 stage start that will see riders heading up over Hoosier Pass and down the Front Range of the Rockies to Colorado Springs.

The local organizing committee for the race is hosting an Aug. 15 informational meeting to give detailed information on community impacts, including road closures, parking, transportation and a detailed event schedule. The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Breckenridge Town Hall, 150 Ski Hill Road. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

Meanwhile, fans hoping to get a close look at the racers as they traverse Independence Pass won’t be able to camp at the top of the pass like last year. U.S. Forest Service rangers say that last year’s crowd was rough on the fragile tundra in the area, leaving behind piles of human waste. As a result, they closed the area to campers for this year’s race, to the dismay of some fans who said the area was well policed and cleaned up after last year’s race. (more…)

Filed under: biking, Colorado, recreation, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Breckenridge enacts Stage 2 fire ban

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Restrictions emphasize zero-tolerance enforcement

Fire danger in Colorado has prompted widespread fire restrictions.

Extreme fire danger prevails across Colorado.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Town of Breckenridge this week adopted Stage 2 fire restrictions in coordination with Stage 2 Fire Restrictions instituted by Summit County and the U.S. Forest Service.

The current fire danger in the area has been ranging between very high and extreme and the weather forecast predicts continued dryness with the potential for high winds.

“In this time of extreme fire danger it is incumbent on all of us to be diligent in our use of fire-producing products.” said Police Chief Shannon Haynes.“The department will take a zero tolerance approach to violations of the Mayor’s declaration and the Town of Breckenridge Municipal Court will assess fines up to $999 with possible jail time of 364 days for convicted offenders.” (more…)

Filed under: Breckenridge, Breckenridge town council, climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, forest fires, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Breckenridge: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to play free July 4th show

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Roots at the Riverwalk Center

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Breckenridge is going rootsy for its traditional free Independence Day concert at the Riverwalk Center. The town announced this week that the show will feature The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, considered to be a profoundly influential group that helped catalyzed the country rock and American roots music movement.

The band has a string of multi-platinum and gold records, as well as ten hits like Fishin’ In The Dark and Mr. Bojangles.

Their groundbreaking “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” album has been inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress as well as the Grammy Hall of Fame. NGDB’s recording of “Mr. Bojangles” was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010.

Other Independence Day activities include a 10K trail run, the Arts District Celebration, the Firecracker 50 bike race leading the Fourth of July Parade on historic Main Street, kids’ activities, and the evening National Repertory Orchestra patriotic concert at the Riverwalk Center. For details, please visit www.townofbreckenridge.com or www.gobreck.com

Filed under: arts and film, Breckenridge, Colorado, events, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: Breckenridge cancels July 4 fireworks

Posted on June 16, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Breckenridge cancels Fourth of July fireworks display.

Drought conditions and fire danger prompts caution

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Ongoing drought conditions in the Colorado high country have prompted the town of Breckenridge to cancel an evening fireworks display, though all other Independence Day activities are still a go.

The combination of beetle-killed trees and a very dry winter puts our community at risk for a wildfire,” said Breckenridge Mayor John Warner, adding that the town consulted with the local fire department before making the decision to cancel the show. If the dry spell ends and conditions improve, the town may decide to reinstate the fireworks. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: Breckenridge murder victim identified

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Burro Trail, Breckenridge, Colorado.

Coroner confirms that transient Karl Fred Kohler was killed by blunt force trauma

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Law enforcement officials said Tuesday that they identified a homicide victim found in the woods near the popular Burro Trail on national forest land near Breckenridge  as Karl Fred Kohler, 45, originally from New York.

According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Kohler, a transient resident of the area, was identified with the help of Colorado Bureau of investigation fingerprint records. Kohler’s body was found Sunday morning.

Undersheriff Derek Woodman said Kohler had been living in the vicinity of Breckenridge for several years and was fairly well-known by some local residents. He had been previously arrested in several locations for minor offenses, according to Woodman.

The Summit County coroner confirmed Monday that the cause of death homicide due to blunt force trauma. A full autopsy is expected to take several weeks.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone involved in the Breckenridge town cleanup on May 19, 2012, that was in the area around Warrior’s Mark Trail and the Burro Trail to  call Detective Jared Dennis at 970.423.8907  or send and email to Jaredd@co.summit.co.us.

The coroner’s office said it’s not releasing any more details at this time “as the case is still open and active and releasing details would endanger the investigation.”

Woodman said there’s no danger to local residents.

“This isn’t like a random serial killer,” he said.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

Breckenridge: Body found near Burro Trailhead

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

The Burro Trail starts in the heart of Breckenridge, Colorado.

Multiple agencies investigating ‘suspicious circumstances’ of death

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Law enforcement officials are investigating what they’re calling the suspicious death of an adult male in Breckenridge, Colorado.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office says the body was found Sunday morning in the forest near the Burro Trailhead. In a press release, the sheriff’s office said the circumstances surrounding the death appear to be suspicious.  At this time, the victim has not been identified. (more…)

Filed under: Breckenridge, Colorado, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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