FIRES

[Wentzl]

I thought it would be good to start a thread to keep tabs on access from individuals on the site who live near and have current information about fires and how they impact access to various 14ers.

For starters I had planned hiking Massive via SW Slopes on Wednesday. Any thoughts of if that will be possible or wise?

[dwoodward13]

For starters I had planned hiking Massive via SW Slopes on Wednesday. Any thoughts of if that will be possible or wise?

It’s not entirely clear you would be able to reach the trailhead. The Lake County OEM map has County Rd 300 closed at County Road 5. If that’s the correct location you would not be able to reach the turnoff to get to County Road 11 which leads to Halfmoon. I think there may be access from the south on some 4x4 roads but not sure on that.

A lot can change in two days.

https://dhsem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/mapv ... 447.638572

[AndrewJCraigie]

I would advise against hiking the mountain right next to the raging uncontrolled forest fire

[BillMiddlebrook]

I would advise hiking the mountain right next to the raging uncontrolled forest fire

My guess he's just trolling.

[greenonion]

Bill
This is a big ask I realize, and likely not doable this fire season… Wondering if map layers/data from Watch Duty could be incorporated into your maps on 14ers.com (or add a new wildfire map altogether); or maybe 14er/13er peak locations from your site could be offered and added to Watch Duty. For at least reference purposes. I know that planning, designing, and sharing geospatial data gets complex real fast, but maybe at least some more reference info on maps could help users plan, or respond to emergency notifications. I also understand there could be potential liability issues related to keeping data and maps updated, but possibly live APIs could remedy some of that. So just consider this food for thought for now.

Stu

[justiner]

There is a fire activity overlay in Caltopo if that plugs the need up.

fire.jpg

[greenonion]

Bill
This is a big ask I realize, and likely not doable this fire season… Wondering if map layers/data from Watch Duty could be incorporated into your maps on 14ers.com (or add a new wildfire map altogether); or maybe 14er/13er peak locations from your site could be offered and added to Watch Duty. For at least reference purposes. I know that planning, designing, and sharing geospatial data gets complex real fast, but maybe at least some more reference info on maps could help users plan, or respond to emergency notifications. I also understand there could be potential liability issues related to keeping data and maps updated, but possibly live APIs could remedy some of that. So just consider this food for thought for now.

Stu

As I think more about it, an all-inclusive outdoor recreation map and data with fire locations and updates would be best, but that’s of course not this site’s scope. But don’t expect recreation.gov to get to it any time soon/ever.

[BillMiddlebrook]

While I have thought of adding a wildfire overlay in the map, I'm not sure how much it would be used since people use Watch Duty, Facebook, COTrex, and other apps. However, whenever there are incidents like this, I do try to get "Alerts" out on 14er, Trailhead, or Route pages. Since the route descriptions are used more than anything else on the site, people should see those alerts. AND, they immediately get picked up by the mobile apps so they can't miss them when viewing impacted routes. Like, now, if you look at the Massive route, you'll see alerts. I can change them on the fly and provide more info than just a wildfire polygon.

I learned a while back that recreating what other sites have, is mostly a waste of time and effort. Like when I built a full map "Drawing" interface that was much easier to use than CalTopo, providing a simple way to create map tracks/waypoints and download them to GPX or KML. But hardly anyone would use it, so I canned it. Oh well. I'm guessing CalTopo will continue to offer some free tools, like basic map drawing.

[Jim Davies]

As I think more about it, an all-inclusive outdoor recreation map and data with fire locations and updates would be best, but that’s of course not this site’s scope. But don’t expect recreation.gov to get to it any time soon/ever.

COTrex (app and https://trails.colorado.gov) has exactly what you're asking for. You have to zoom to see fires, but it shows perimeters and some closures.

cotrex-fires.jpg

[Jim Davies]

Watch Duty is also good for seeing updates. https://app.watchduty.org/i/105142

[Wentzl]

I would advise hiking the mountain right next to the raging uncontrolled forest fire

My guess he's just trolling.

I really did have plans for Massive, and just thought it might make a nice thread contribution.

Carry on.

[ARY]

Besides fires I'm watching smoke plumes on that site, maybe you'll find it useful too.
https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/products/land/hms.html#maps