Wildfire partners launch pilot project for eastern Boulder County
24 May 2022
Published by: https://www.bouldercounty.org
USA – Boulder County’s wildfire mitigation and homeowner preparedness program expands to the plains
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County is launching a new pilot project to help residents in eastern unincorporated Boulder County prepare for wildfire.
The western United States has entered into a new era of climate-driven wildfires. Following the Marshall Fire, the most destructive in Colorado history, wildfire mitigation and homeowner preparedness have become important priorities for many individuals and communities. Homeowners on the plains, not just those in the foothills and mountains, should prepare for wildfires.
Wildfire Partners, the county’s wildfire mitigation and homeowner preparedness program, is currently assisting 3,000 residents in western Boulder County. With the new Wildfire Partners Plains Pilot Project, residents in eastern Boulder County will also be able to receive critical technical assistance.
“Boulder County has been actively engaged in wildfire mitigation efforts since the 1989 Black Tiger Fire,” says Jim Webster, Boulder County’s Wildfire Partners Program Coordinator. “However, our efforts have been focused in the foothills and mountains.The Wildfire Partners Plains Pilot Project allows us to assess the interest in mitigation among residents on the plains and adjust our program for new partners. Following the Marshall Fire, we think there is a large demand from plains homeowners who want to learn how to best prepare for future wildfires.”
100 pilot program participants will receive a free, on-site, home assessment with a Wildfire Mitigation Specialist. They will learn how to harden their structures and create defensible space to reduce the ignition potential of their homes. They will receive a customized report that includes a check list of items to mitigate, annotated photos of their vulnerabilities, and important information on wildfire mitigation and preparedness.
“Unfortunately, the Marshall Fire dramatically illustrated that we are in a new reality of risk from wildfire in eastern Boulder County,” said Boulder County Commissioner Matt Jones. “I encourage unincorporated Boulder County residents to participate in the award-winning Wildfire Partners program whether you suffered a loss during the Marshall Fire or not. Wildfire Partners is great at making suggestions for your home to improve its chance in a wildfire.”
“Now is the time for members of our community to take action and prepare for climate-driven wildfires,” says Mark Udall, Wildfire Partner participant and Former United States Senator from Colorado. “During May Wildfire Awareness Month, I encourage all eligible homeowners to sign up for the Wildfire Partners Plains Pilot Project and work to reduce their wildfire risk.”
“With climate change causing the increase risk of wildfires world-wide, working with Wildfire Partners to help reduce the fire risk around our home was one of the smartest things I’ve done to help protect our home,” says Howard Gordon, Wildfire Partners participant.
Interested residents are encouraged to apply through the program’s website: www.WildfirePartners.org. Applications are due June 30, 2022.
Applicants must live in unincorporated Boulder County to participate. Residents in the incorporated areas of Boulder, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, and Superior are not eligible at this time.
Wildfire Partners is a partnership program, administered by Boulder County. Partners include local and federal government, fire protections districts, academic institutions, businesses, and community groups.
May is Wildfire Awareness Month
The goal of Wildfire Awareness Month is for homeowners to become better prepared for future wildfires by completing critical mitigation measures.
–During the month of May, we are encouraging homeowners to perform common-sense mitigation measures based on the best available science to reduce the risk that wildfires will destroy their homes.
–Homeowners are encouraged to obtain technical assistance from professionals and develop a customized mitigation plan so they work smarter—not just harder—to reduce their wildfire risk.
–Performing mitigation once is not effective—on-going action and maintenance is required.
–Homeowners should not just pick and choose a couple of mitigation items to complete like they are ordering from an à la carte menu. They need to take a comprehensive, science-based approach and address their homes’ greatest vulnerabilities first.
–Fire officials are warning that dry conditions mean that fire danger is high. Therefore, now is the time for homeowners to act.
