Escape Routes?

[jasinclair71@gmail.com]

After reading an article in today’s Daily Camera about the wildfire in Lahaina and after an evaluation of our property by Wildlife Partners I am asking for your help in determining my escape options during a potential evacuation order for residents of the Bar K Ranch. An obvious route will take me to Rock Lake Road and out to Overland Drive, however, what is an optional route if Rock Lake Road is closed?

[joeryan80481]

The Boulder Heights neighborhood (up Deer Trail Rd at the top of Lee Hill) and the residents along Logan's Mill Rd above Four Mile Canyon have created "escape routes" in recent years to provide alternative exit paths.  The Boulder Heights escape route goes to Sunshine Canyon, and the Logan's Mill goes to Sugarloaf Road.  Both of the escape routes might require 4WD even in good weather.

We do have a road on the map from Rock Lake to the west to County Road 100, which connects to the Peak-to-Peak Highway, but the road doesn't exist now, or it would require an off-road vehicle, and I think the way out would cross some private property.  It's a nice mountain bike excursion now.

If we were trapped by fire on Rock Lake Road, I suppose I'd consider driving to a Bar-K lake to avoid fire.

[David L]

The escape route signage was put up in Four Mile after the Four Mile Canyon Fire in 2010. Not all residents or visitors know that you can drive Logan Mill over Arkansas Mountain, or egress the upper part of the canyon from either leg of the Switzerland Trail. The problem with the signs is they indicate alternate routes; the primary routes are still the best, and most likely ones needed. You don't want someone following a sign that says escape route to the west, when the fire is coming from the west, and the main road leads you east, out of harms way. I'm not saying the signs are a bad idea, just that there is a drawback as well, and knowing your area and roads is really the best. 

For the Bar-K, it is one point of access from Overland Rd. Once on Overland Rd., in the event of a fire, every effort will be made to indicate the best direction of travel for evacuations. Early on in an incident that might not be established yet, so use good sense. Where did the fire start, where are the winds blowing, and travel the direction away. When possible, fire and law will include directions of travel in evacuation notices -- but, because the notices can encompass a much greater area than one neighborhood, those might be broad directions, or may not be included if they can't be applicable to all affected areas. 

Early detection, and early notification, and early evacuation is key. You can opt-in to reverse 911 notifications here: https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612231/new

[jasinclair71@gmail.com]

Thanks David. I will heed all pre evacuation and evacuation orders!