City of Greeley Opens Island Grove to Assist with Alexander Mountain Animal Evacuations

GREELEY, Colo. - The City of Greeley is opening Island Grove Regional Park, 501 North 14th Avenue, to support neighboring Larimer County as they evacuate residents and animals in the wake of the Alexander Mountain wildfire. As Loveland prepares The Ranch for the upcoming Larimer County Fair, Greeley's facilities, fresh from hosting its own fair, are ready to accommodate large animals in need of temporary shelter. Sheltering will begin this afternoon at 2 p.m. as animals are moved from The Ranch to Island Grove.

Greeley's facilities at Island Grove are not only equipped to handle large animals but also offer ample space for RV parking, so animal owners with RVs will be able to stay on site with their animals, ensuring their safety and comfort. Anyone currently evacuating from the Alexander Mountain fire is advised to take their large animals to Island Grove via the 11th Avenue entrance in Greeley. Horses, cows, alpaca, goats, sheep and pigs will be accepted.

"Greeley is a community that believes in helping our neighbors," said Peter Perez, Director of the City of Greeley Office of Emergency Management. "We are proud to offer this facility and our support to ensure the safety of animals during this critical time." The facilities will be secured and staffed by Larimer County until further notice.

Regularly scheduled events like Greeley-Evans School District 6's School Kickoff Community Celebration held at Island Grove will proceed as scheduled.

Burn Ban Remains in Effect

The City of Greeley's Fire Department is maintaining its burn ban due to persistent hot and dry conditions. Residents are reminded that this ban includes all outdoor fires, recreational fires, charcoal grills and smokers within city limits and the Western Hills Fire Protection District. Grills fueled by natural gas or propane are still permitted.

Handling Smoky Conditions

In the wake of the Alexander Mountain wildfire, as well as other fires across the west, smoky conditions are expected to persist. The City of Greeley encourages residents to stay informed about handling smoky conditions through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's (CDPHE) newly launched Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Program. This EPA-funded initiative provides community partners with tools to prepare for and respond to wildfire smoke and its health impacts.

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