Colorado Springs, CO, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 – The El Paso Board of Commissioners designated October as Wildfire Awareness Month with a resolution at today’s meeting. This year marks the first year of a cooperative effort among counties to jointly recognize the threat of wildfire to residents and communities. El Paso, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, Boulder and Douglas counties are all participating in a joint effort to emphasize the need for residents to remove trash and brush on their properties and create space around their homes which can be defended from wildfires.
“Population growth in the forested areas of El Paso County has resulted in more direct impacts to residents from wildfires,” Vice Chair Sallie Clark read the resolution into the record. “Wildfires not only affect those living within the forested parts of El Paso County, but all county residents, as the forests are home to our watersheds, water infrastructure, valuables natural resources, historical and cultural resources, and recreational opportunities.”
El Paso County Fire Marshal Jim Reid said, “Waldo Canyon Fire is the second large fire we’ve had in 10 years. We have a lot of potential for more. I hope people heed that and pay attention.”
Residents who live in the wildland urban interface of El Paso County should take the following measures to help protect their homes and communities.
• Create and maintain a defensible space around their home and outbuildings
• Use ignition-resistant building materials
• Review their insurance policies to make sure their homes are fully insured
• Reduce the density of trees and height of grasses on their property
• Support the creation of community fuel breaks and landscape-scale forest restoration
• Become aware of the role that healthy forests play in reducing the negative impact of wildfire and protecting our water resources, recreation opportunities, air quality, and mountain backdrop.
Contact: Dave Rose
Public Information Officer
Phone: 520-6540 Cell: 337-9239
DaveRose@elpasoco.com