Emergency planning

Local News

La Plata County 911 dispatch center in need of more employees

dispatchers, one supervisor monitor emergency calls on most days

June 3, 2022

Local News

Evacuated residents from Ute Pass Fire given go-ahead to return home

30-acre fire at 10% containment as of Saturday morning

May 14, 2022

Local News

La Plata County holds large-scale drill to prepare for eventual wildfire

Multiday simulation includes mock evacuations of hospital, subdivisions

April 30, 2022

Local News

Search and rescue may have become much easier in Southwest Colorado with new technology

Durango’s Colorado Highland Helicopters is first operation in the state to receive RECCO equipment

April 27, 2022

Local News

Durango man recounts avalanche, harrowing rescue and road to recovery

Henk survived a crushing wall of snow on Parrot Peak in the La Plata Mountains

April 4, 2022

Local News

911 center upgrades cut response times, improve location accuracy in Durango

RapidSOS system is biggest breakthrough for emergency communications in five decades

March 19, 2022

Local News

Fire drill proves to be good practice for next generation of wildland firefighters

Outdoor workshop breaks down issues around fuels, topography and weather

November 17, 2021

Local News

Durango and Montrose interagency wildfire dispatch centers could close down

Proposal recommends consolidation from six dispatch centers to three in Colorado

November 4, 2021

Local News

New 911 dispatch director responds to staffing, tech needs

Derrick Walker arrives from North Dakota with background in emergency communications

June 28, 2021

Local News

Deadly Colorado avalanche season prompts reflection on messaging

12 people died in slides statewide, 5 in San Juans as of this week

April 16, 2021

Local News

Can the Constitution and COVID-19 restrictions coexist?

on gatherings, longevity of restrictions increasingly weigh on civil liberties

November 20, 2020

Local News

After 44 years, Butch Knowlton retires from La Plata County

and rescue director helped countless people through emergencies

November 16, 2020

Local News

How rescue workers saved 28 hikers in two hours near Silverton

A behind-the-scenes look at quick response during the Ice Fire

October 30, 2020

Local News

Incoming storm raises concern over flooding from 416 Fire burn scar

National Weather Service says up to an inch of rain could fall in area

June 5, 2020

Local News

Community Emergency Relief Fund disburses $100,000 across five-county region

round of grants supports front-line nonprofits

May 2, 2020

Pine River Times news

Community Emergency Relief Fund distributes $100,000 across five-county region

round of grants supports front-line nonprofits in S.W. Colo.

May 1, 2020

Local News

La Plata, Archuleta counties to receive infant supplies from FEMA

delivering $3 million in diapers, formula to Colorado

April 17, 2020

Local News

Eastern La Plata mobilizes neighbors to prepare for COVID-19 outbreak

Jeff Dyar, Upper Pine River Fire Protection District board president, discusses an emergency response map of eastern La Plata County…

April 4, 2020

Local News

Bayfield declares state of emergency in response to COVID-19

Declaration made to gain access to future relief resources

March 26, 2020

Local News

Health officials: Stop calling 911 for information about COVID-19

offers protocols for people experiencing symptoms

March 21, 2020

Local News

Health officials report 26 COVID-19 tests completed in La Plata, Archuleta counties

National shortage cited for low number

March 17, 2020

Local News

Local public health emergency declared amid coronavirus outbreak

Entities say declaration will help further fight virus

March 16, 2020

Local News

Four Corners receives pet disaster relief trailer

is capable of providing temporary shelter for 65 pets

March 4, 2020

Local News

In life or death situations, first responders can find themselves in the ‘dead zone’

Radio, cellphone reception near impossible in parts of Southwest Colorado

February 5, 2020