Local announcements and cancellations

Local announcements and cancellations

Sept. 13, 2001

American Legion mobilizes support network

An intense nationwide effort is under way by the American Legion to assist families of American service persons whose deployment in response to the acts of terrorism in New York and Washington, D.C., seems inevitable.

The American Legion toll-free telephone number, 1-800-504-4098, is available to family members and military personnel around-the-clock. Calls are processed and referred to members of the American Legion and auxiliary groups in the communities where military families reside.

These volunteers will attempt to assist the family members. In most cases, they will receive a return call within two working days.

Flags to remain at half-staff through Sunday

Colorado Gov. Bill Owens has ordered that Colorado and American flags remain at half-staff through Sunday, Sept. 16, which is consistent with President Bush’s directive today to keep flags lowered through this weekend.

The governor also has ordered that American flags be flown from the second- and third-floor windows on the west side of the State Capitol Building.

Public-lands offices reopen

The U.S. Forest Service and BLM reopened their offices in southwestern Colorado on Wednesday after being closed on Tuesday because of the national emergency.

The Durango San Juan Public Lands Center, Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores Public Lands Center, Pagosa Ranger District and Columbine Ranger District are now open.

Forest Service ends natural fire

The terrorist attacks on the East Coast caused local public-lands officials to snuff a prescribed natural fire that had been ignited by lightning on Haycamp Mesa. The low-intensity fire had been allowed to burn and reduce fuel buildup while Forest Service officials closely monitored it.

However, when federal officials closed the air space to all fire operations Tuesday, Public Lands Center Manager Mike Znerold decided to put the fire out. He said "without the option of having air-tanker and helicopter support, we decided to put a dozer line around the 14-acre fire on Tuesday to contain any additional spread."

St. Barnabas opens for prayer

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church will be open on Friday from noon until 1 p.m. and later from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. for private reflection and prayer for any who would like to use the church for that purpose.

Ute Mountain Utes schedule prayer service

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Office in Towaoc will be holding a prayer service at 8 a.m. on Thursday for the victims of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. The service is open to the public.