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How to help
If you are looking for a way to help the people and crews affected by the High Park Fire, financial support to agencies involved is the most effective way.
Go to HelpColoradoNow.org for a list of agencies that are responding to the fire and their contact information. The website also features information about volunteering and material donations.
The United Way of Larimer County's 211 line (1-866-485-0211) also has a list of organizations that are accepting financial donations in relation to the High Park Fire relief effort.
The Rist Canyon, Glacier View and Poudre Canyon Volunteer Fire Departments are looking for donations to help defray the costs of firefighters assinged to the High Park Fire. To make a donation, go to their websites:
- Glacier View Fire
- Rist Canyon Fire
- Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District - Website is temporarily unavailable. In the meantime, contributions can be made to Cache La Poudre Fire & Emergency Group, P.O. Box 952, Laporte, CO 80535. In addition, Canyon Utilities is helping by taking credit card donations for the district. For information, call LeAnn Davis at 970.881.2262.
Protect yourself
In the wake of a wildfire, people should closely monitor air quality and, if needed, take precautionary steps. Our experts recommend the following tips to protect yourself:
- If possible, temporarily relocate to an area outside of the smoke zone.
- Go to a location where air is filtered. A local mall, movie theater or recreation center, for example, might provide temporary relief.
- Close windows and remain indoors. But don't close up the indoors so tightly that it is dangerously warm.
- Run air-conditioning if there is a filter on the unit. Or run an evaporative cooler or fan system. Keep outdoor air intakes closed and make sure the unit has a filter.
- Reduce physical activity.
- Drink plenty of fluids, get ample sleep, make healthy eating choices, and give extra attention to actions that help keep people healthy.
FULL ARTICLE.
Videos
- How a wildfire can affect your health. Dr. Jim Hoyt from Northern Colorado Pulmonary Consultants explains who's at risk and what they should do.
- Helping kids cope during natural disasters. Michael Gitter, clinical case coordinator at Mountain Crest Behavioral Hospital, gives tips for helping kids cope with their fears and concerns during a wildfire.
- Wildfire and children. Richard Hahn, respiratory services manager at Poudre Valley Hospital, talks about why kids are sensitive to air quality changes, including tips to keep breathing easier.
- Wildfire air quality tips. Richard Hahn gives tips for preventing and mitigating respiratory and breathing problems when wildfires degrade air quality.
- Poudre Valley Hospital EMS's role in the response. Steve Main, manager of ambulance services at Poudre Valley Hospital Emergency Medical Service, explains the role the service is taking in the response effort and how the public can help responders.
Other resources
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