Week of January 13, 2022
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
HighlandsRanchHerald.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | CALENDAR: PAGE 9 | SPORTS: PAGE 16
Wildfire is ‘year-round threat’ in Douglas County First responders discuss plans, how residents can prepare BY JESSICA GIBBS AND ELLIOTT WENZLER JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
When South Metro Fire Rescue crews helping respond to the Marshall Fire arrived at their staging area, the site was surrounded by several buildings engulfed in flames. Smoke laid flat, “a very telling sign of a wind-driven event” and “a big red flag for us,” South Metro spokesman Eric Hurst said. In those conditions, the likelihood that first responders are able to quickly control a fire plummets. Firefighters can expect low visibility. Debris falling. Structures collapsing. As South Metro personnel got to work, they first tried stopping the fire from spreading through grassy areas, but 20- to 25-foot flames leapt low across the ground, “enough to get across a road.” SEE FIRE, P4
Isolation, quarantine guidance changes Updated protocols reflect CDC’s new COVID recommendations BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
independent bookstore in town. We love the book business, and sell only new books, plus puzzles, games, journals, candles, tote bags, reading glasses, and more! We currently host six book clubs in our store (Middle Readers, Young Adult, Mystery, Classics, New Releases and Romance), and you can find out more about them on our website (booksareawesome. org). We are thrilled to support
The state public health department has updated its quarantine and isolation guidance, changing how long it suggests people with COVID-19 — or those who are exposed to it — should avoid others. Colorado made the move to align with the change in recommendations from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to a Dec. 27 news release. “Isolation” refers to the steps a person should take after a confirmed infection, according to the CDC’s website. Quarantine, on the other hand, is when people avoid others after exposure to the virus and wait to see whether sickness occurs. The updated guidance reduces the recommended time in isolation for those in the general population with COVID-19 from 10 to five days if asymptomatic on day five, followed by an additional five days wearing a mask when around others, according to the state public health department. Earlier in the pandemic, the CDC recommended a quarantine period of 14 days. In December 2020, the CDC adjusted, saying people can stop
SEE BOOKSTORE, P22
SEE CHANGES, P8
Firefighters from South Metro Fire Rescue Brush 33, based in Centennial, took on the Cameron Peak Fire in the Arapahoe and Roosevelt national forests in 2020. Fire officials agree that there is no longer a fire season and preparations need to be made COURTESY PHOTO year-round.
Douglas County bookstore looks to support educators Q&A includes staff’s top reads from 2021, most anticipated books of 2022
literature among young readers. Co-owner Wendy Withers spoke to Colorado Community Media about programs to help teachers, the staff’s favorite reads of 2021 and their most anticipated of 2022.
BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
About us We (Danean Wisely and Wendy Withers) opened Books Are Awesome in December 2019, exactly two years ago. We have lived here in Parker for more than 18 years, and felt it was vital to have a local,
Local bookstore Books Are Awesome of Parker aims to support area educators and schools while also fostering an appreciation for
VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 6
MOUNTAIN VISTA HOCKEY
Kail Burns helps lead the way to victory
P16
JUST THE HIGH POINTS Exploring the highest elevations in Metro Denver P12