VA Eastern Colorado Shares Aspen Acres Fire Resources for Veterans as Clinics Remain Scheduled to Operate July 6

Description: VA Eastern Colorado is monitoring the Aspen Acres Fire and sharing emergency, shelter, health care, transportation, air quality, mental health, and disaster assistance resources for Veterans impacted in southern Colorado.

Veterans,

The Aspen Acres Fire has grown to more than 87,000 acres and remains an active incident affecting communities in southern Colorado, including Colorado City, Beulah, Florence, Rockvale, Rye and San Isabel.

VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System leadership and emergency management teams are actively monitoring the situation. At this time, all clinics are expected to operate as scheduled on Monday, July 6. If operations change, updates will be shared directly with Veterans via email and posted on our website and social media channels. Patients with scheduled appointments will be contacted directly.

Below are VA, community and emergency resources for those who may be impacted. Please share this information with others who may need assistance.

Stay safe.

Emergency Information & Updates

Pueblo Emergency Information: https://www.puebloemergency.info

Pueblo Emergency Status Board: https://pueblosheriff.org/394/Pueblo-Emergency-Status-Board

Emergency Planning Resources

https://www.ready.gov/

Evacuation & Shelter Locations

Pueblo County Recreation Center – 1650 Cooper Place, Pueblo. American Red Cross providing shelter, food, water, health services, and pet accommodations

Lange Hall – 312 3rd St., Westcliffe

Pathfinder Park – 6655 CO-115, Florence

Colorado State Fairgrounds – 2109 Small Ave, Pueblo (Gates 6 & 7) for large animals/livestock

St. Charles Mesa Recreation Center – 1650 Cooper Pl., Pueblo

Travel & Safety

Check COtrip.org for current road closures and travel advisories.

Air Quality Information

AirNow: https://www.airnow.gov

Colorado 2-1-1

Call 211 or visit https://www.211colorado.org

211 can help connect individuals and families with:

Emergency shelter resources

Food assistance

Mental health services

Financial assistance programs

Community resources during disasters

American Red Cross

Visit https://www.redcross.org

-The Red Cross is providing shelter services and disaster support to evacuees. Their Emergency App can also provide alerts and safety information.

Colorado Disaster Assistance Center (DAC)

https://mars.colorado.gov/DAC

Location: Pueblo Academy of Arts (Pitts Middle School) 29 Lehigh Ave, Pueblo

Case management, Direct financial assistance, Spiritual and mental, health care, Distribution of masks and relief supplies, Clean up, Resources, Food, Basic needs kits, Localized resource navigation

Closed July 5

Open July 6 1-5 p.m.

Community & Volunteer Support

United Way of Southern Colorado – Donations accepted at 1591 Taos Rd, Building D (7 a.m.–7 p.m., daily).

CSU Pueblo – Serving as a base for firefighting operations; community encouraged to support relief efforts

Tips for Individuals with Disabilities and Caregivers

If you have evacuated or may need to evacuate:

Bring medications, medical supplies, and assistive devices if possible.

Keep important documents in an easily accessible location.

Maintain a list of emergency contacts.

If you support someone with complex medical or behavioral needs, notify shelter staff of any accommodations that may be needed.

Check air quality frequently and limit outdoor exposure during heavy smoke conditions.

For Health Care Needs, call VA Health Connect at 303-399-8020

Select 1 for Pharmacy.

Select 2 for Scheduling.

Select 3 to Speak with a nurse.

In case of mental health or other emergencies:

Call 911 or the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (press 1).

Go to the nearest ER. Notify VA within 72 hours of an ER visit via the

Emergency Care Reporting Portal or call 844-724-7842 (TTY: 711).

VA health care on the go:

Access VA health care anywhere with the VA: Health and Benefits app 

or My HealtheVet so you can:

Refill prescriptions,

Track appointments,

Send messages to your provider, and more!

We will continue monitoring the situation and encourage everyone to follow local emergency management officials for the latest updates.

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