Living in the Animas Valley for the past 23 years, we understand the issue of wildfire and safe evacuation as being crucially important. As survivors of two evacuations, the Missionary Ridge Fire (2002) and the 416 Fire (2018), we have many concerns about preparedness and safety. Evacuation checklists, ready-to-go survival necessities, Code Red, etc., are vital. After leaving the house, it is essential to have an evacuation route to get out of harm’s way.
The Roberts Village Camp proposal does not provide a specific evacuation plan that takes into consideration the exit of potentially 1,000 park renters with their possessions that would be egressing onto our narrow county two-lane roads. The plan does not allow for the inevitability of evacuees turning right and using County Road 250, as County Road 252 backs up with eastbound residents from two subdivisions stopping for a railroad crossing and a traffic control light. CR 250 is a two-lane winding road with no shoulders and many blind spots – it is not at all suitable for luxury motor homes and their towed vehicles.
To add to this mayhem and confusion, the emergency vehicles and first responders need a clear path. This problem was highlighted when the Durango Fire Protection District was concerned about access to Rockwood Estates with buses from Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. and train-passenger traffic using the narrow CR 200.
Roberts’ application does not answer the safety questions that could have life-threatening consequences to all of us.
Kent and Florence Short
Durango
