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    MorningMagazine_2025-01-13 Jack Dawson

Boulder and Mountain View firefighters called to assist with Los Angeles fires

Boulder and Mountain View fires crews headed to California over the weekend to help tame the Los Angeles blazes that have killed at least 24 people. 

According to a press release put out on Friday, Boulder Fire-Rescue sent out four firefighters with a Type 3 engine, which is specialized for combating large wildfires.

Mountain View fire crews also dispatched a similar team. 

The crews, part of a Colorado “strike team,” left on Saturday, and are expected to assist for up to two weeks.

The first SoCal fire started last Tuesday, with more sparking up across the region over the past week. The fires have caused tens of thousands to evacuate, and have destroyed thousands of homes. Winds are expected to pick back up this week, leaving residents on edge for what’s to come.

According to CalFire, the two largest blazes – the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire are 13% and 27% contained, respectively, and have burned nearly 40,000 acres combined.

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Evergreen Fire Rescue revises volunteer program

While Colorado first responders help fight the fires in L.A., Evergreen Fire Rescue is working to address a different issue here in Colorado a growing lack of volunteer firefighters.

To try and retain volunteers, the department implemented a new points system on Jan. 1. 

The new incentive-based system requires volunteers to earn a set number of points each month, that represent the amount of time worked. Denver7 reports that this system is meant to help its existing volunteer force create better work-life balance.

With call volume up 5% last year, EFR’s efforts reflect a nationwide trend of increasing demand and declining volunteer numbers. According to Denver7, the national average retention time for a volunteer firefighter is only 4 years.

In addition to volunteers, Evergreen Fire Rescue added six new paid positions in the past year to improve response. The department hopes the new system will incentivize people to stay.

Firefighter training is provided by Evergreen Fire Rescue at no cost, and no prior experience is necessary.

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Colorado prepares for second round of reintroduced wolves

Wildlife officials have started capturing gray wolves in British Columbia, with plans to bring them to Colorado.

They’re aiming to capture as many as 15 gray wolves, as part of the second wave of reintroducing the species to Colorado. The first group of wolves included in these efforts were released in Summit and Grant counties back in December 2023, under Proposition 114.

Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin counties are under consideration for this second release.

The capture comes only two days after the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission denied a petition from livestock owners to pause the program. 

The capture and release operation will likely last around two weeks, according to the Colorado Sun. 

Wildlife officials are working with British Columbia’s Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship to ensure the wolves are healthy and uninjured before being released.

Just like the previously released wolves, this new group will be outfitted with tracking collars.

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Colorado granted $1.9M to improve railway crossings

Colorado will receive $1.9 million in federal funding to enhance railway crossings.

The funds, which were announced Friday, are part of a $1 billion initiative by the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve over 1,000 crossings across 40 states, aiming to reduce train-vehicle collisions and traffic delays.

According to The Denver Post, train-vehicle accidents at crossings rank as the second largest cause of U.S. rail-related deaths.

In Colorado, the money will support projects in Central Denver to eliminate grade crossings along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and in Fort Collins to improve safety and mobility at the Vine/Timberland Rail Grade crossings. 

Federal officials say the grants are an attempt to make up for years of underinvestment in America’s railways.

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Justice Department investigating Douglas County School District’s treatment of students of color and students with disabilities

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating Douglas County School District over allegations of racial discrimination, harassment, bullying, and mistreatment of students with disabilities.

The investigation follows a 2023 federal lawsuit filed by families of four students of color, who claimed the district failed to address extensive discrimination and bullying.

The students were reportedly targeted in a group chat, subjected to racial slurs, and threatened with lynching.

The DOJ is also reviewing the district’s treatment of students with disabilities, following several complaints involving the use of seclusion and restraint.

Investigators will conduct interviews in Colorado next week, seeking input from parents, students, and community members. 

Individuals wishing to share their experiences can contact the DOJ by emailing [email protected] or calling 888-394-6317.

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Colorado to begin regulating emissions of air toxins

Colorado air pollution regulators are working to decrease toxic air contaminants that have the potential to damage peoples health.

For years, environmental advocates have raised concerns about pollution’s contribution to certain cancers, asthma, and women’s reproductive health.

The Department of Public Health and Environment and Air Quality Control Commission is working to compile a list of five priority toxins to be regulated.

The state’s Air Pollution Control Division has recommended the five contaminants it believes should be prioritized, and will share with the commission at a meeting set for Thursday. Those proposed contaminants are acrolein, benzene, ethylene oxide, hydrogen sulfide, and hexavalent chromium.

After the list is approved, the state will create health standards for each toxin, based on the levels of consumption that are safe for human health.

New regulations should be rolled out throughout 2025 and into 2026. It’s currently unclear how the new standards will affect industrial industries.

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