Wildland Mitigation

The Bailey area is one of many residential areas built in the wild land urban interface, which puts residents at risk from fire occurrence. In accordance with the National Fire Plan of 2002, the Platte Canyon Fire Protection District has taken many steps in working towards the prevention of property loss due to wild land fire. In 2005, Platte Canyon Fire Protection District began working in a cooperative effort with neighboring agencies (US Forest Service and Colorado Forest Service) to create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The entire district was assessed based on a fire danger rating system. Through the use of scientific data (past fire spread and behavior, wind patterns, topography, high human recreation, and fuel loading) we were able to determine areas of low, moderate, and high fire risk. Once this process was completed we were able to identify and prioritize the needs for new programs such as district computer mapping, adoption of new construction codes, and hazardous fuels treatments.

First of all, the fire district was mapped using Red Zone computer Software. This computer mapping includes such things as; pictures of structures, road mapping, address search, water source identification, utility locations, helispots, aerial fuel loading maps, topography maps, fire spread prediction, driveway width, and many more useful features. This mapping technology was then put into all fire apparatus to assist with information gather and decision making during fire and emergency response.

Next, building codes were changed to enforce stricter defensible space requirements for all new construction permits. Defensible space and hazardous fuels reduction for all new construction is now inspected and regulated by the fire protection district. This helps to protect structures during the event of a wild land fire. These new requirements are in accordance with National Fire Protection Association # 1144 Standard for protection of life and property from wild land fire 2002 edition.

Our hazardous fuels treatment program was started in an effort to help reduce hazardous fuels on private property adjacent to heavily forested lands. We have worked with the Colorado State Forest to apply for much needed grant monies to assist in the implementation of this new program. We have also been working with the Pike National Forest to ensure that a collaborative cross boundary effort is made. We are working to reduce heavy fuel loading on both Federal lands and adjacent subdivisions in the Upper Deer Creek/Elk Creek Highlands area. Our fire mitigation crew has been busy working to cut, chip, thin, and pile burn trees and generated slash for home owners in the first designated target area.

We at the Platte Canyon Fire Protection District would like to thank you for your patience with us as we have a big job ahead of us. We appreciate your participation and support in this project.