Marshall Fire
Our thoughts are with the many impacted by the devastating Marshall Fire in Boulder Valley, including BVSD students, employees and families.
Fueled by extremely strong winds, the wildfire on Thursday, December 30 and prompted the evacuation of more than 30,000 people and ultimately destroyed 1,084 homes.
Disaster Assistance Center closing Saturday
The Boulder County Disaster Assistance Center (DAC), located at the Boulder County Southeast County Hub at 1755 South Public Road in Lafayette, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Jan. 22. Some federal and state operations will remain while local disaster assistance shifts to longer-term recovery, online services, and targeted help. Read more about the upcoming changes.
Boulder County community members impacted by the Marshall Fire can visit the Disaster Assistance Center to access a range of services including property loss and filing claims for assistance, financial and food assistance, mental health supports, transportation, and more.
Boulder County Public Call Center
Please reach out to the Boulder County Public Call Center (303-413-7730) if you were impacted by the fire and need information. The call center is closed on weekends. The call center hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday, Jan. 21.
Air Quality
BVSD is concerned about both the mental and physical health and well-being of our students and staff following the Marshall Fire. Understandably, air quality in and around our buildings is a priority. Providing a safe indoor environment that is free of hazards at concentrations of concern is as important to BVSD as it is to our families and staff.
Free hot meals
More than 100 restaurants are offering no-cost hot meals to those impacted by the fires. Restaurants Revive is a group of Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Golden, Westminster and Denver restaurants offering hot meals to displaced residents of the Marshall Fire.
Please check this list often as it is updated regularly.
Meals are offered in a variety of formats including in-house, to-go, gift cards and more – please see the list for a full overview.
Ongoing social-emotional supports
So far, the Boulder Valley School District Trauma Team has served more than 900 students from nine schools, with some receiving multiple sessions. Additionally, they’ve supported more than 340 staff members.
They want everyone to know that they are still available to help both students and families.
Need Social-emotional Support?
Students | Staff
Supports Planned for January 18-21
- Trauma Team Leads continue to to communicate and support schools on student needs and trauma team staff are on-site as needed.
- Internal mental health teams are continuing to support students through check-ins and small groups. Please fill out the forms at the above links to indicate need and someone will be reaching out.
As we have shared previously – you do not have to be directly impacted to take advantage of this support.
Additional Social-Emotional Resources
Mental Health Partners
Mental Health Partners (MHP) is offering three free services for those that were impacted by the Marshall Fire. These services are available for all ages.
MHP is offering two groups through our Moving Beyond Trauma team. These groups are:
- Virtual Drop-In Support Group for Caregivers
- Wednesdays 12:00-1:00
- Tuesdays 4:00-5:00
- Virtual Drop-In Support Group for Adults
- Mondays 4:00-5:00
- Fridays 12:00-1:00
If you would like to reach out for services please contact:
By Telephone: Call MHP Cares (Marshall Fire Response) line at (303) 413-6282 . People can also call MHP’s main number, (303) 443-8500, select option 9.
By Email: Email MHPCares@mhpcolorado.org for any inquiries, internally route needs, requests, and offers to volunteer or assist in any way.
Additionally, they too have built a website of resources that may be helpful.
Jewish Family Service and Community Foundation Boulder County
In response to multiple tragic events over the last year, Jewish Family Service and Community Foundation Boulder County have partnered to offer counseling services to Boulder County residents.
The program offers up to $500 towards five individual counseling sessions (a maximum of $100 per session), or up to $875 towards five family counseling sessions (a maximum of $175 per session) and provides a pool of licensed providers from which to choose.
More information: https://www.
They can also offer rental assistance, emergency funds etc.: https://www.
Employee Assistance Program (Employees ONLY)
EAP provides up to 8 free, confidential counseling sessions per year to help you and your family members address concerns.
Call: 866-519-8359 (TDD: 800-697-03353)
Online: guidanceresources.com
App: GuidanceResourcesNow Web ID: BVSDEAP
FEMA Support
Boulder County residents and businesses who sustained damages from the Marshall Fire may be eligible for state and federal disaster assistance. FEMA has programs that provide financial help with temporary housing expenses, basic home repairs and other essential disaster-related needs. FEMA may also make referrals to other local, state, federal and voluntary assistance programs.
Ways to Help
Our partners at Impact on Education are gathering donations for BVSD families impacted through their Critical Needs Fund and will be prepared to help students, schools and staff affected by the wildfires.
The Community Foundation Boulder County has also created a Wildfire Fund that will benefit any residents impacted by the fire.
Additionally the American Red Cross is responding and accepting donations.
BVSD Updates
Updates from the Marshall Fire website, including links to the air quality, enrollment and resources pages, plus social-emotional resources and food resources.
In speaking with many of you, since school resumed, one of the biggest concerns remains air quality and whether it is safe to have school in the current conditions. We reached out to our partners at Boulder County Public Health and asked them to address this topic and they shared a letter.
As you likely know, President Biden is visiting the Marshall Fire burn area and families that have been impacted this afternoon. Given the timing of his visit and the routes he will likely take this afternoon, we are expecting a significant impact to traffic and our bus routes.
Impacted Directly?
We are working to support families and employees directly impacted by the Marshall Fire. Please let us know, by filling out the form connected to the buttons below.
Trauma Support
We know that this event may be traumatizing. BVSD is providing social-emotional support for both students and employees.
Emergency Information
Boulder Office of Emergency Management
Boulder County Emergency Call Center
303-413-7730
Broomfield County Emergency Alerts
Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
Road Closure Information (Boulder OEM)