Wildland Fire
To report a wildland fire please contact the Craig Interagency Dispatch Center at (970) 826-5037 or call 911
Links
The Craig Interagency Dispatch website houses local fire and dispatch information for the Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit. The NWCFMU is located in the northwest corner of the state encompassing the counties of Rio Blanco, Moffat, Routt, Jackson and Grand. The agencies in partnership with the fire and dispatch center are; the counties mentioned above; CSFS; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; United States Forest Service and; Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center web site covers the Rocky Mountain Region, also referred to as Region 2. This region is comprised of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota. This website contains links to all the regional dispatch centers, including the Craig Interagency Dispatch website, as well as the National Interagency Dispatch Center located in Boise, ID. It also contains training, weather, new releases, fire restrictions, seasonal outlook, large fire, crew and incident management team information.
The Rocky Mountain Wildland Fire Information website was developed by the Colorado State Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other partners to provide a "one-stop" fire education source for wildland fire communicators. This website also provides a searchable grants database, media tools, calendar of events, and links to other wildland websites.
National Fire News contains national fire information pertaining to large fires and is updated everyday. It also provides weather and fire danger ratings.
For recorded wildland fire information during active fire season in Northwest Colorado contact:
Phone (970) 826-5108
Fire Mitigation
Fire Season is here and it’s time to be aware of outdoor fire use.
Although spring moisture in Northwest Colorado delayed the beginning of fire season, it has also produced an abundance of fine fuels. Fine fuels are grasses and forbs, which includes cheatgrass. Cheatgrass is a non-native species that is an aggressive fire-carrier. Fire can spread a tremendous distance in a matter of minutes under the right conditions with a little wind pushing it. The grass component of area vegetation is curing or cured and will ignite from a carelessly tossed cigarette or other heat source.
The potential for fire ignitions will rise with higher temperatures, low humidities and less rain. Lightning is the main ignition source in northwest Colorado and fire personnel count on the public’s help to keep it that way.
When using fire outdoors always follow the standards guidelines for safe fire practices, which include:
- Campfires: locate away from flammable materials and when possible in established campfire rings. If no campfire ring exists, dig or scrape down to bare soil with an 8 foot clearance
- Put campfires out completely – douse with water, stir and turn over hot embers, douse again, and stir until there is no smoke and ashes are cool to the touch.
- Keep fire control tools handy; always carry a shovel, bucket and water supply with you.
- Dispose of cigarettes and matches in an ashtray or other appropriate container after they are out.
- Make sure chainsaws and other motorized recreational vehicles have working spark arresters.
- Park vehicles out of vegetation and dry grass in cleared areas.
- Remember the use of fireworks and any incendiary devices are prohibited on public lands
Links
The Colorado State Forest Service website is a compilation of good information and resources for the homeowner. They post everything from defensible space information to post fire rehabilitation facts and fire resistant plants and trees. Standards and guides for developing Community Wildfire Protection Plans are available at this site. You can also locate the Forester for your area with the ‘Your District Forester’ link.
The Rocky Mountain Wildland Fire website houses a variety of information developed for the Rocky Mountain Region which includes resources and materials for homeowners and homeowner associations, technical specialists and media. The site houses grant opportunities, posters and brochures, defensible space and beetle information, plus much more.
The Fire Wise website is one of the most comprehensive sites covering all aspects of defensible space for homeowners, educators, and firefighters with research, articles, newsletters, calendar of events, interactive sites, blogs and chat room.
Thomas fire Defensible Space Photo by Dean Carey
For further migitation information in Northwest Colorado contact:
Lynn Barclay
Mitigation Education Specialist
Phone (970) 826-5096 | Fax (970) 826-5010
Programs
