National Night Out: First responders recount stories of recent wildfires

Residents of Niwot and surrounding communities had a special opportunity this year at the National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 4. A number of the first responders present had been at the scenes of the Alexander Mountain and Stone Canyon Fires in Boulder and Larimer counties, which had only recently been brought under control. The stories the responders shared kept some of the event attendees wide-eyed at the courage and commitment of those who protect our region.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. The event has been held for the past 41 years. According to the organization's website, the event is now in 17,000 communities and in all 50 states with about 38 million attendees.

Niwot's event was sponsored by the Niwot Community Association in cooperation with the Boulder County Sheriff's office, with many other first responders on hand, including Mountain View Fire Rescue personnel.

Boulder County Mounted Search and Rescue (MSAR) was another one of the first responder groups at the event. The team currently includes 22 horses and their owners. The owners are all volunteers who earn certification, then commit to rigorous ongoing training and practice drills with their horses and the MSAR team.

MSAR's successful searches for missing and lost persons are often publicized. However, what is less well known is that MSAR participants leave their horses behind when they are sent into precarious situations early in response to natural disasters. That is what happened recently at the onset of the nearby wildfires.

MSAR volunteer Hunter Lovins explained that MSAR horse owners also own large horse trailers that can be used to rescue livestock that might otherwise be trapped in wildfires and floods. As the Boulder County and Larimer County wildfires flared up, members of the MSAR team were called upon to drive their empty trailers to ranches and other properties to rescue as much livestock as they could.

Lovins shared photos and videos of her and her partner's harrowing uphill drive with flames and smoke on both sides of the dirt road and an inferno ahead. They made good progress driving through what were obviously increasingly dangerous conditions.

Then they received orders to turn around immediately and retreat to safety. Maneuvering a livestock trailer on the narrow road was easier said than done. They headed out of danger as quickly as they could and were directed to properties where they could help move livestock on their way out. Lovins and her partner ended up hauling goats and chickens to safety and their mission was accomplished.

Asa Merriam, a sniper with the Boulder County Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) group, said that the first to arrive at the site of natural disasters is most commonly a tactical S.W.A.T. team. These teams are ready to mobilize at a moment's notice and rush to the site. They use their lightweight gear for quick movement, carry already-packed provisions to last at least 24 hours and prepare for the arrival of other responders and safety teams.

Brett Rimsky is a new member of the bomb squad. Rimsky called on two colleagues who pulled on his attention-getting, 4-piece, 115-pound protective clothing and gear. His helmet includes lights and a police radio, and his jacket is lined with bullet-resistant Kevlar, which even includes a fan to provide some cooling in the uncomfortably hot outfit. Fortunately, the bomb squad is not actively engaged full time. Rimsky is always on call to respond to the 60-65 calls that come in each year, but he also serves as a school resource officer in a Longmont middle school.

Niwot is among many communities which extend the scope of its National Night Out festivities to include numerous safety and public service organizations. In addition, a free cookout dinner of hamburgers and hotdogs, cooked by Nacho Mama's Tacos, with entertainment by the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band, encouraged residents to socialize with their neighbors and extend their stay.

Next year's National Night Out is scheduled for Aug. 5, 2025.