As the fire season arrives, only 17 communities have completed a wildfire protection plan while dozens of other communities may find themselves vulnerable.
The Elk Creek Fire District in Conifer has worked for a year to create an extensive community wildfire protection plan that puts new technology to work to protect 40 subdivisions and more than 4,000 homes.
"Every home has been identified and GPS'd and put on mapping programs," said Elk Creek Fire Chief Tom Kennelly.
Firefighters implemented the plan with the help from local homeowner's associations. The plan has detailed every home, every water source and every helicopter landing location.
"It's computerized. It does an analysis of all the homes in the area, the fuel, the terrain, I think we are much better prepared today," said Kennelly.
In addition to the new program, forests have been thinned and lower branches have been removed.
The state forest service said more communities need to prepare. Communities without formal plans are most often rural areas with only volunteer fire staff.
"In theory, every community in Colorado could have a wildfire protection plan. It does not take a lot of work and planning. But wildfire is a fact of life in Colorado," said Jen Chase of the State Forest Service.
If you live in a fire prone area, you can contact your local fire district to find out if your community is working on a fire protection plan. You can also prepare your home for wildfire season by creating defensible space. Thin trees, remove dead limbs, stack firewood away from your home, and keep your grass mowed.
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