Fire Danger High for this Time of Year
Recent windy, dry conditions have already prompted Red Flag Warnings for northwest Colorado. Green-up, which helps to slow fire spread, has not yet occurred in most areas and dead grass and brush is ready to burn.
Landowners wishing to initiate ditch, debris and other outdoor burning activities are urged to check local weather conditions before striking the match. Warm, dry weather is returning to the area later this week.
Fire is a valuable and necessary tool which under the right conditions, can be safely used to promote plant regeneration, put nutrients back in the soil and remove vegetative debris. There are pre-burn actions you can take to burn safely and minimize the chance of fire escaping your control. These include:
- Contact your sheriff's department and fire protection district before burning
- Know expected weather conditions for your burn day - winds can be erratic this time of year
- Visit http://www.crh.noaa.gov/gjt/ for weather information
- Avoid windy and excessively warm and dry days - fire spreads quickly under these conditions
- Advise your neighbors of your plans to burn so they don't panic or call in a false fire report
- Keep a shovel and plenty of water handy to extinguish the fire
- Never leave a fire unattended even for a few minutes
- Dig a fire line or break if there is a chance the fire may not stop where you want
- Keep your cell phone with you to report an escaped fire if cell coverage is available
- Make sure your fire is dead out before leaving the area
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:
Mitigation Education Specialist
Phone (970) 826-5000 | Fax (970) 826-5010
