Leading our wildfire preparedness effort
Wind and fire are shaping the American West’s future. Did the L.A. wildfires cause you to wonder whether such a catastrophe could occur where you live? Prolonged dry conditions paired with vicious wind events are causing destructive fires from Colorado to California to Hawaii. Now called “megafires,” they start in the surrounding landscape — a downed power line, an errant campfire — on a day when the wind is blowing so hard that the fire cannot be extinguished before it moves into an urban area and burns home after home to the ground, sending people running for safety.
Such an event could occur in Chaffee County. Our acres of dead and dying trees, warmer temps, drier seasons and bigger wind events pose a big threat to life, property and infrastructure. Foresters and firefighters say it’s just a matter of time before the next wildfire. Whether it ignites during strong winds is a matter of chance.
Chaffee County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) identifies the most important lands to treat to reduce the chance of a wildfire. The main goal is to reduce the potential effects of a wildfire on our most important community assets by selectively thinning trees as mapped and prioritized in the CWPP. These solutions reduce wildfire risk and ultimately improve forest health.
The CWPP also helps residents get ready for the next wildfire. The Forest Health Council is tasked with leading strategies outlined in the plan. It is comprised of professionals from every land management agency and organization concerned with forest management and wildfire response in the county.
The Forest Health Council plans wildfire mitigation collectively so that each project and program is more effective than it could have been if done independently. Since 2020, more than 12,000 acres have been treated. Planning and fundraising is in place to double that number.
The CWPP’s major goal is to treat 30,000 acres by 2030
How targeted tree thinning results in strategic wildfire mitigation
The plan was created by first engaging the community through a survey, which showed strong support for forest treatments, as 84% said they have “no concern” about land management activities such as thinning trees.
The community also was asked to prioritize what they most want protected from wildfire and post-fire flooding.
The seven community assets, in order, are firefighter lives, human life, drinking water, infrastructure, homes, wildlife, Arkansas River recreation, scenic views and trail systems.
With this input, the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute (CFRI) produced the Composite Wildfire Risk map, showing where our community’s most valued assets are at the highest risk.
The cost of doing treatments is factored into the final map to identify where treatments can do the most to lower risk for the least amount of money — or where we can get the best “bang for the buck.”
Treatment options include thinning trees, prescribed fire, thinning to clean up slash and a patch-clearing method used in the piñon-juniper forest called mastication.
CFRI’s modeling — guided by local experts and driven by community priorities — demonstrates that treating a small, targeted portion of the total landscape can substantially reduce wildfire risk.
Taking Action
More than 12,000 forested acres of public and private lands have been treated in the last five years.
That is 41% of the way toward achieving the CWPP’s top goal of treating 30,000 targeted acres by 2023. Treatments span both public (70%) and private property (30%).
Chaffee County’s Treatment Priority Areas (red, orange and yellow) are based on computer modeling that identifies the right areas to treat to reduce fire’s potential affects on critical community infrastructure and improve firefighter safety.
12K+ acres have been thinned (purple) since 2020, and 14K additional acres are planned (teal) to achieve the long-term goal of treating 30K targeted acres by 2030.
IN SUMMARY
The 400+ acre project spanning two watersheds has reduced wildfire risk for residents of two counties and protected recreation spaces on federal land, power lines, a critical evacuation and transportation route and drinking water supply.
– The Decker Fire served as a wake-up call for the importance of a healthy forest and the need for forest management to prevent future disasters.
– The Douglas Fir Beetle and Western Spruce Budworm were identified as the main culprits behind the dying trees, emphasizing the need for insect control measures.
– The forest management project focused on both public and private lands, recognizing the interconnectedness of fire mitigation efforts.
– Preserving open areas for camping and power lines was a critical aspect of the project to ensure public safety and protect infrastructure.
– The successful outcome of the project, with healthier trees and new growth, showcases the positive impact of forest management on the landscape.
– The transformed forest reflects the long-term benefits of proactive forest management and their commitment to monitoring its growth.
Some of the other actions of the CWPP
Envision worked with Chaffee Fire and the county Office of Emergency Management to create the simple 6 STEPS to family evacuation preparation:
Community Preparation
In addition to targeted forest treatments, residents and homeowners must remain personally prepared for a wildfire. The best protection is achieved by creating defensible space around your home and having a family evacuation plan in place.
Make sure you will get timely emergency notifications by signing up for Chaffee County’s reverse-911 alert system, called Everbridge, to receive alerts through email, telephone and text messaging.
IN SUMMARY
– Prescribed burns are a critical ecological practice that safeguards ecosystems and promotes biodiversity. They help maintain the delicate balance of nature in our forests.
– Meticulous planning and coordination are essential for the success of prescribed burns. Detailed analysis, project boundaries, and safety parameters are crucial steps in the planning process.
– Prescribed burns require the involvement of numerous fire personnel, including firefighters, fire engines, water tenders, ATV drivers, and specialists. Their presence ensures safety during the burn.
– Weather factors like temperature, humidity, wind, and vegetation moisture are closely monitored during prescribed burns to ensure optimal conditions and smoke dispersal.
– Prescribed burns reduce the chance of high-intensity catastrophic fires by clearing forest fuels and creating open meadows that are beneficial for wildlife.
– Prescribed burns are vital in fire-prone areas like Colorado as they prevent large-scale devastation seen in uncontrolled wildfires. They allow foresters to choose the time, place, and best conditions for the burn.
– Prescribed burns executed with precision are crucial for preserving lives, property, and the natural splendor of our forests. They minimize the impact of smoke on communities and maximize the benefits for the ecosystem.
Managing Human-Caused Fire Risk
While lightning causes wildfires in Colorado, humans also cause them via discarded cigarettes, unattended campfires, burning debris and equipment malfunctions such as downed power lines and sparks from dragged towing chains.
High concern among residents about errant and illegal campfires was highlighted in the Chaffee Wildfire Survey. In response, dozens of new signs have been placed around Chaffee County to communicate fire danger levels and fire restrictions. Education about how to have a safe campfire is also shared through social media and other means with visitors.
The Chaffee Recreation Rangers program adds forest patrollers who encourage good visitor behavior through personalized outdoor education. The patrollers also check for smoldering and illegal campfires and they partner with the Chaffee Rec Adopters — a group of volunteers who monitor and steward our local public lands, focusing on campfire safety.
