BOULDER, Colorado (CBS4) – As residents deal with the devastation of the Marshall fire, many continue to search for their pets who have been lost in the chaos. Several groups have shared their research efforts on social media, but the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office wants pet owners to start with the Boulder County Emergency Management Office.
On Sunday, the OEM said, âAnimal rescue colleagues are nearing the end of their list of requests for active rescue of live animals from fire scenes. If you have a need that has not been reported for a rescue only, please call Dispatch at 303-441-4444.
The agency says pet owners who have lost an animal can call the Boulder Humane Society or the Longmont Humanitarian Society which are in partnership with Boulder OEM.
“We have been inundated with offers of assistance with animal rescue from the public, but for safety reasons we do not allow volunteers to accompany us to closed areas,” said Sheriff Joe Pelle. .
RELATED: Resources for victims of the Marshall fire
Not all residents are allowed to return inside the fire perimeter. Some are subject to a so-called soft closure that allows them to speak to a law enforcement officer before entering the area.
“I spoke yesterday of an ID card system to get people into neighborhoods as we start to open up more,” Louisville Police Chief Dave Hayes said. âWe plan to deploy this probably on Tuesday. In the meantime, on our soft closures that people can if they are allowed in, they meet the officers and it is settled that way. “
Hayes also says there are no new neighborhood openings.